7EEB

Structure of the CatSpermasome

Summary for 7EEB

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb7eeb/pdb
• EMDB information: 31076
• Descriptor: Enhanced green fluorescent protein,Cation channel sperm-associated protein 1, Transmembrane protein 249, Transmembrane protein 262, ... (22 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: ion channel, membrane protein, calcium channel, protein complex, protein transport
• Biological source: Human cytomegalovirus (HHV-5, Human herpesvirus 5); More
• Total number of polymer chains: 14
• Total formula weight: 915384.07

Authors

Wu, J.P.,Ke, M. (deposition date: 2021-03-18, release date: 2021-07-28, Last modification date: 2024-10-09)

Primary citation

Lin, S.,Ke, M.,Zhang, Y.,Yan, Z.,Wu, J.
Structure of a mammalian sperm cation channel complex.
Nature, 595:746-750, 2021

PubMed Abstract: The cation channel of sperm (CatSper) is essential for sperm motility and fertility. CatSper comprises the pore-forming proteins CATSPER1-4 and multiple auxiliary subunits, including CATSPERβ, γ, δ, ε, ζ, and EFCAB9. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the CatSper complex isolated from mouse sperm. In the extracellular view, CATSPER1-4 conform to the conventional domain-swapped voltage-gated ion channel fold, following a counterclockwise arrangement. The auxiliary subunits CATSPERβ, γ, δ and ε-each of which contains a single transmembrane segment and a large extracellular domain-constitute a pavilion-like structure that stabilizes the entire complex through interactions with CATSPER4, 1, 3 and 2, respectively. Our EM map reveals several previously uncharacterized components, exemplified by the organic anion transporter SLCO6C1. We name this channel-transporter ultracomplex the CatSpermasome. The assembly and organization details of the CatSpermasome presented here lay the foundation for the development of CatSpermasome-related treatments for male infertility and non-hormonal contraceptives.

PubMed: 34225353
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03742-6

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (2.9 Å)