Data for: Characterization of a sperm motility signaling pathway in a gonochoric coral suggests conservation across sexual systems

Most stony corals liberate their gametes into the water column via
broadcast spawning, where fertilization hinges upon the activation of
directional sperm motility. Sperm from gonochoric and hermaphroditic
corals display distinct morphological and molecular phenotypes, yet it is
unknown whether the signaling pathways controlling sperm motility are also
distinct between these sexual systems. Here, we addressed this knowledge
gap using the gonochoric broadcast spawning coral Astrangia poculata. We
found that cytosolic alkalinization of sperm activates the pH-sensing
enzyme soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC), which is required for motility.
Additionally, we demonstrate for the first time in any cnidarian that sAC
activity is necessary for PKA activation, and PKA activity is also
required for motility. Ultrastructures of A. poculata sperm displayed
morphological homology with other gonochoric cnidarians, and investigation
of cnidarian proteomes revealed that sAC exhibits broad structural and
functional conservation across this phylum. These results indicate a
conserved role for pH-dependent sAC-PKA signaling in sperm motility across
coral sexual systems and suggest that the role of this pathway in sperm
motility is likely ancestral in metazoans. Finally, the dynamics of this
pH-sensitive pathway may play a critical role in determining the
sensitivity of marine invertebrate reproduction to anthropogenic ocean
acidification.