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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry

Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry

Published on: December 28, 2021

KIF3A is essential for sperm tail formation and manchette function.

Mari S Lehti¹, Noora Kotaja, Anu Sironen

¹Agrifood Research Finland, Biotechnology and Food Research, Animal Genomics, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland. mari.lehti@mtt.fi

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology

|July 9, 2013

Summary

Kinesin family member 3A (KIF3A) is essential for sperm tail formation and head shaping during spermatogenesis. Its depletion severely impacts male fertility, highlighting its crucial role in sperm development.

Keywords:

Co-IP Co-immunoprecipitation FS IFT Intraflagellar transport KBP KIF3A Kif1-binding protein MNS1 MS Manchette ODF PND Spermatogenesis fibrous sheath intraflagellar transport meiosis-specific nuclear structural protein 1 mitochondrial sheath outer dense fiber postnatal day

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Use of Time-Lapse Microscopy and Stage-Specific Nuclear Depletion of Proteins to Study Meiosis in S. cerevisiae

Use of Time-Lapse Microscopy and Stage-Specific Nuclear Depletion of Proteins to Study Meiosis in S. cerevisiae

Published on: October 11, 2022

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Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry

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Published on: December 28, 2021

A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model

A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model

Published on: February 6, 2018

Use of Time-Lapse Microscopy and Stage-Specific Nuclear Depletion of Proteins to Study Meiosis in S. cerevisiae

Use of Time-Lapse Microscopy and Stage-Specific Nuclear Depletion of Proteins to Study Meiosis in S. cerevisiae

Published on: October 11, 2022

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Reproductive Biology
Molecular Motors

Background:

Kinesin family member 3A (KIF3A) facilitates intraflagellar transport, vital for axoneme formation in ciliated cells.
The role of KIF3A in spermatogenesis, the process of sperm formation, remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the function of KIF3A during spermatogenesis.
To determine the impact of KIF3A depletion on sperm development and male fertility.
To identify KIF3A interacting partners in the context of sperm formation.

Main Methods:

KIF3A depletion studies in vivo.
Analysis of sperm morphology, including tail formation and head shaping.
Investigation of manchette organization during spermiogenesis.
Identification of KIF3A interacting proteins using co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry.

Main Results:

Depletion of KIF3A resulted in significant defects in sperm tail formation and abnormal sperm head shaping.
KIF3A deficiency also led to disrupted manchette organization.
The study revealed functional similarities between cilia formation in somatic cells and flagella development in spermatozoa.
Novel KIF3A interacting partners were identified, including meiosis-specific nuclear structural protein 1 (MNS1), which localized to the manchette and sperm tail.

Conclusions:

KIF3A is a critical regulator of spermatogenesis, essential for proper sperm tail and head development.
The findings underscore the importance of KIF3A-mediated microtubular transport in male fertility.
This research highlights conserved mechanisms in flagella formation across different cell types and emphasizes KIF3A's role in male reproductive health.