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Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
09:34

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

Published on: August 22, 2013

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RSBP15 interacts with and stabilizes dRSPH3 during sperm axoneme assembly in Drosophila

Ya Wang1, Rui Xu2, Yiwei Cheng1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.

Journal of Genetics and Genomics = Yi Chuan Xue Bao
|July 9, 2019
PubMed

Insights

We discovered Radial Spoke Binding Protein 15 (RSBP15), a novel protein crucial for sperm flagellum assembly and male fertility. RSBP15 stabilizes key structures, ensuring proper sperm motility.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Sperm Motility Research

Background:

  • Sperm flagellum assembly, involving over 200 proteins, is vital for male fertility.
  • Defects in radial spoke assembly lead to reduced sperm motility and infertility.
  • Mechanisms governing radial spoke assembly in metazoans are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify novel proteins regulating radial spoke assembly in sperm flagella.
  • To elucidate the function of Radial Spoke Binding Protein 15 (RSBP15) in sperm development.
  • To understand the molecular interactions and pathways involved in maintaining flagellar structure and function.

Main Methods:

  • Gene knockout (KO) studies in Drosophila to analyze RSBP15 function.
  • Co-localization and protein-protein interaction assays (e.g., Western blotting, immunoprecipitation).
  • Analysis of sperm flagellar structure using electron microscopy and assessment of sperm count and motility.

Main Results:

  • Loss of RSBP15 in Drosophila resulted in a complete absence of mature sperm and defective flagellar structure ('9+2' axoneme).
  • RSBP15 interacts with dRSPH3, stabilizing the radial spoke protein complex via its DD_R_PKA domain.
  • Knockout of other radial spoke genes (dRSPH1, dRSPH3, dRSPH4a, dRSPH9) phenocopied the rsbp15 mutant.

Conclusions:

  • RSBP15 is essential for the proper assembly and stabilization of radial spoke structures within sperm flagella.
  • RSBP15 plays a critical role in maintaining sperm structure, motility, and overall male fertility.
  • The findings highlight RSBP15 as a key regulator in the radial spoke complex, essential for male reproductive health.
Keywords:
DrosophilaFlagellumRSBP15RSPH3Radial spoke

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