Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Mouse Sperm Cryopreservation and Recovery using the I·Cryo Kit
07:06

Mouse Sperm Cryopreservation and Recovery using the I·Cryo Kit

Published on: December 12, 2011

39.9K

The cilia and flagella associated protein CFAP52 orchestrated with CFAP45 is required for sperm motility in mice

Bingbing Wu1, Rachel Li2, Shuang Ma1

  • 1Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|May 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Cilia and flagella associated protein 52 (Cfap52) is crucial for sperm motility and male fertility. Its absence in knockout mice caused infertility by disrupting sperm tail structure and CFAP45 interaction.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Asthenozoospermia, characterized by reduced sperm motility, is a significant cause of male infertility with largely unknown etiology.
  • Sperm motility is essential for natural fertilization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of cilia and flagella associated protein 52 (Cfap52) in sperm function and male fertility.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Cfap52's contribution to sperm motility.

Main Methods:

  • Generation and analysis of a Cfap52 knockout mouse model.
  • Assessment of sperm motility, sperm tail ultrastructure, and protein interactions within the sperm flagellum.
  • Quantitative analysis of CFAP45 expression in wild-type and knockout sperm.

Main Results:

  • Cfap52 is predominantly expressed in the testis.
  • Cfap52 knockout mice exhibited decreased sperm motility and male infertility.
  • Sperm from knockout mice showed disorganization at the midpiece-principal piece junction but intact axoneme ultrastructure.
  • CFAP52 interacts with CFAP45, and its absence reduces CFAP45 levels in the sperm flagellum, impairing dynein-driven microtubule sliding.

Conclusions:

  • CFAP52 is essential for maintaining sperm motility and male fertility.
  • CFAP52 regulates sperm motility through interaction with CFAP45, impacting flagellar function.
  • These findings provide insights into the pathogenesis of male infertility associated with human CFAP52 mutations.
Keywords:
ATP hydrolysisCFAP45CFAP52male infertilitymidpiece–principal piece junctionsperm motility

More Related Videos

Sperm Collection and Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis in the Teleost Model Japanese Medaka Oryzias latipes06:49

Sperm Collection and Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis in the Teleost Model Japanese Medaka Oryzias latipes

Published on: October 6, 2022

4.1K
Author Spotlight: A Live Cell Imaging Technique to Study Calcium Signaling and Acrosome Exocytosis in Mouse Sperm05:04

Author Spotlight: A Live Cell Imaging Technique to Study Calcium Signaling and Acrosome Exocytosis in Mouse Sperm

Published on: October 13, 2023

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins01:32

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins

Eukaryotic cells have different motor proteins for transporting various cargo within the cell. These motor proteins differ based on the filament they associate with, the direction they move within the cell, and the type of cargo they transport. Motor proteins that associate with microtubules are known as microtubule-associated motor proteins. There are two families of microtubule-associated motor proteins —Kinesins and Dyneins. Both these proteins assist in the transport of cellular cargos...
Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Mechanism of Ciliary Motion01:05

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...
Mechanism of Ciliary Motion01:05

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...
Flagella and Motility in Bacteria01:18

Flagella and Motility in Bacteria

Flagella are specialized, thread-like structures that extend from a bacteria's cell envelope. They play a crucial role in motility and chemotaxis. Their structural organization and functioning exemplify sophisticated biological engineering, enabling bacterial survival and adaptability in diverse environments.Structure of the FlagellumA bacterial flagellum consists of three key components: the filament, the hook, and basal body. The filament, a long, helical structure composed of repeating...