Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Reporter-based Growth Assay for Systematic Analysis of Protein Degradation
Published on: November 6, 2014
Ubiquitin-Proteasome System-Regulated Protein Degradation in Spermatogenesis
Yi Xiong1, Chao Yu2,3, Qianting Zhang1,4
1Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, 718 East Haizhou Rd, Haining 314400, China.
Abstract:
Spermatogenesis is a prolonged and highly ordered physiological process that produces haploid male germ cells through more than 40 steps and experiences dramatic morphological and cellular transformations. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays central roles in the precise control of protein homeostasis to ensure the effectiveness of certain protein groups at a given stage and the inactivation of them after this stage. Many UPS components have been demonstrated to regulate the progression of spermatogenesis at different levels. Especially in recent years, novel testis-specific proteasome isoforms have been identified to be essential and unique for spermatogenesis. In this review, we set out to discuss our current knowledge in functions of diverse USP components in mammalian spermatogenesis through: (1) the composition of proteasome isoforms at each stage of spermatogenesis; (2) the specificity of each proteasome isoform and the associated degradation events; (3) the E3 ubiquitin ligases mediating protein ubiquitination in male germ cells; and (4) the deubiquitinases involved in spermatogenesis and male fertility. Exploring the functions of UPS machineries in spermatogenesis provides a global picture of the proteome dynamics during male germ cell production and shed light on the etiology and pathogenesis of human male infertility.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Regulated Protein Degradation
Protein degradation plays two important roles in the cells. It helps to protect cells from misfolded or damaged proteins before they lead to a...
The Proteasome
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. This involves participation of a series of enzymes including— E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3...
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting

