Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Amyloid Fibrils03:03

Amyloid Fibrils

11.9K
Amyloid fibrils are aggregates of misfolded proteins.  Under most circumstances, misfolded proteins are either refolded by chaperone proteins or degraded by the proteasome. However, in the case of a mutation or a disease, these proteins can accumulate to form large clusters and often further assemble to form elongated fibers, called fibrils. 
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen.   In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining,...
11.9K
Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

29.9K
Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity.  In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to...
29.9K
Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

3.3K
3.3K
Fruit Development, Structure, and Function01:58

Fruit Development, Structure, and Function

25.2K
Fruits form from a mature flower ovary. As seeds develop from the ovules contained within, the ovary wall undergoes a series of complex changes to form fruit. In some fruits, such as soybeans, the ovary wall dries; in other fruits, such as grapes, it remains fleshy. In some cases, organs other than the ovary contribute to fruit formation; such fruits are called accessory fruits.
25.2K
Structure and Function of Erythrocytes01:29

Structure and Function of Erythrocytes

5.9K
There are between 4.2 and 6 million erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, in every microliter of blood. These cells are small, flattened biconcave discs with centers that are depressed.
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...
5.9K
Structure and Function of Platelets01:18

Structure and Function of Platelets

3.5K
The cell fragments known as platelets are disc-shaped, with an average diameter of about 3 μm and a thickness of roughly 1 μm. They play a crucial role in the body's vascular clotting system, which also involves plasma proteins, blood cells, and blood vessel tissues.
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000...
3.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Altered Brain Extracellular Matrix Structure and Sex-Specific Learning/Memory Dysfunction in Mice Lacking the Functional Amyloid Cystatin-Related Epididymal Spermatogenic (CRES).

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Impact of Mentors on Overall Faculty Experience and Reason for Leaving.

The chronicle of mentoring & coaching·2026
Same author

The Functional Epididymal Amyloid Cystatin-Related Epididymal Spermatogenic (CRES) is a Component of the Mammalian Brain Extracellular Matrix.

Journal of neuroscience research·2026
Same author

The Functional Epididymal Amyloid Cystatin-Related Epididymal Spermatogenic (CRES) is a Component of the Mammalian Brain Extracellular Matrix.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Host defense amyloids: Biosensors of the immune system?

Andrology·2023
Same author

Pathogenic Mutations in the C2A Domain of Dysferlin form Amyloid that Activates the Inflammasome.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Visualization of Amyloid β Deposits in the Human Brain with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry
09:31

Visualization of Amyloid β Deposits in the Human Brain with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Published on: March 7, 2019

11.1K

The epididymal amyloid matrix: structure and putative functions.

G A Cornwall1, H Q Do1, A Hewetson1

  • 1Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.

Andrology
|January 22, 2019
PubMed
Summary

The mouse epididymal lumen contains a functional amyloid matrix essential for sperm maturation and protection. This matrix, composed of cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic (CRES) proteins, is crucial for male fertility.

Keywords:
amyloidantimicrobialbacterial biofilmepididymismousesperm maturation

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Non-Invasive Imaging of Complex Bio-Structures Using Polarization-Sensitive Two-Photon Microscopy
05:54

Author Spotlight: Non-Invasive Imaging of Complex Bio-Structures Using Polarization-Sensitive Two-Photon Microscopy

Published on: September 8, 2023

1.7K
Microscopic Cyst Resection for the Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Epididymal Cyst
03:10

Microscopic Cyst Resection for the Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Epididymal Cyst

Published on: March 31, 2023

12.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Visualization of Amyloid β Deposits in the Human Brain with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry
09:31

Visualization of Amyloid β Deposits in the Human Brain with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Published on: March 7, 2019

11.1K
Author Spotlight: Non-Invasive Imaging of Complex Bio-Structures Using Polarization-Sensitive Two-Photon Microscopy
05:54

Author Spotlight: Non-Invasive Imaging of Complex Bio-Structures Using Polarization-Sensitive Two-Photon Microscopy

Published on: September 8, 2023

1.7K
Microscopic Cyst Resection for the Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Epididymal Cyst
03:10

Microscopic Cyst Resection for the Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Epididymal Cyst

Published on: March 31, 2023

12.0K

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • The mouse epididymal lumen contains a non-pathological amyloid matrix surrounding spermatozoa.
  • This matrix plays critical roles in sperm maturation and protection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review studies on the epididymal amyloid matrix and its components.
  • To highlight the integral role of four cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic (CRES) subgroup members in this matrix.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized conformation-dependent reagents (Thioflavin S/T, anti-amyloid antibodies) and X-ray diffraction to detect cross-β-sheet structures.
  • Employed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for visualizing amyloid structures.
  • Used indirect immunofluorescence with specific antibodies to detect CRES subgroup members.

Main Results:

  • Confirmed the epididymal lumen contains a functional amyloid matrix essential for sperm.
  • Demonstrated that alterations in CRES members or cystatin C lead to epididymal pathologies and infertility.
  • Observed structural and functional similarities between the epididymal amyloid matrix and bacterial biofilms.

Conclusions:

  • The epididymal amyloid matrix is vital for male reproductive function.
  • This matrix is integral to sperm maturation and protection within the epididymis.