SPATC1L maintains the integrity of the sperm head‐tail junction. (19th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Jihye; Kwon, Jun Tae; Jeong, Juri; Kim, Jaehwan; Hong, Seong Hyeon; Kim, Jinyoung; Park, Zee Yong; Chung, Kyung Hwun; Eddy, Edward M; Cho, Chunghee
• Is Part Of: EMBO reports. Volume 19:Number 9(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-07-19
• Subjects: protein kinase A -- SPATC1L -- sperm -- sperm head‐tail -- testis; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Molecular biology; Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.15252/embr.201845991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1469-221X

Abstract

Abstract: Spermatogenesis is a tightly regulated process involving germ cell‐specific and germ cell‐predominant genes. Here we investigate a novel germ cell‐specific gene, Spatc1l (spermatogenesis and centriole associated 1 like). Expression analyses show that SPATC1L is expressed in mouse and human testes. We find that mouse SPATC1L localizes to the neck region in testicular sperm. Moreover, SPATC1L associates with the regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (PKA). Using CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome engineering, we generate mice lacking SPATC1L. Disruption of Spatc1l in mice leads to male sterility owing to separation of sperm heads from tails. The lack of SPATC1L is associated with a reduction in PKA activity in testicular sperm, and we identify capping protein muscle Z‐line beta as a candidate target of phosphorylation by PKA in testis. Taken together, our results implicate the SPATC1L‐PKA complex in maintaining the stability of the sperm head‐tail junction, thereby revealing a new molecular basis for sperm head‐tail integrity. Synopsis: The male‐germ‐cell‐specific protein SPATC1L localizes to the neck region of the sperm and associates with PKA that phosphorylates CABPZB. SPATC1L maintains the stability of the sperm head‐tail junction. SPATC1L localizes to the connecting piece of testicular sperm and interacts with the regulatory subunit of PKA, increasing PKA activity. SPATC1L potentially promotes PKA‐mediated CAPZB phosphorylation and regulates F‐actin dynamics during spermiogenesis. Loss of SPATC1L in mice results in separation of sperm heads from tails leading to male sterility. Abstract : The male‐germ‐cell‐specific protein SPATC1L localizes to the neck region of the sperm and associates with PKA that phosphorylates CABPZB. SPATC1L maintains the stability of the sperm head‐tail junction.