8OU0

bovine sperm endpiece singlet microtubules (one tubulin dimer and associated microtubule inner proteins)

Summary for 8OU0

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb8ou0/pdb
• EMDB information: 17188
• Descriptor: Tubulin beta-4B chain, Stabilizer of axonemal microtubules 1, Sperm acrosome associated 9, ... (7 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: microtubule, microtubule inner protein, sperm, cilia, cytosolic protein
• Biological source: Bos taurus (cattle); More
• Total number of polymer chains: 4
• Total formula weight: 180693.72

Authors

Leung, M.R.,Zeev-Ben-Mordehai, T. (deposition date: 2023-04-21, release date: 2023-07-05, Last modification date: 2025-07-09)

Primary citation

Leung, M.R.,Zeng, J.,Wang, X.,Roelofs, M.C.,Huang, W.,Zenezini Chiozzi, R.,Hevler, J.F.,Heck, A.J.R.,Dutcher, S.K.,Brown, A.,Zhang, R.,Zeev-Ben-Mordehai, T.
Structural specializations of the sperm tail.
Cell, 186:2880-2896.e17, 2023

PubMed Abstract: Sperm motility is crucial to reproductive success in sexually reproducing organisms. Impaired sperm movement causes male infertility, which is increasing globally. Sperm are powered by a microtubule-based molecular machine-the axoneme-but it is unclear how axonemal microtubules are ornamented to support motility in diverse fertilization environments. Here, we present high-resolution structures of native axonemal doublet microtubules (DMTs) from sea urchin and bovine sperm, representing external and internal fertilizers. We identify >60 proteins decorating sperm DMTs; at least 15 are sperm associated and 16 are linked to infertility. By comparing DMTs across species and cell types, we define core microtubule inner proteins (MIPs) and analyze evolution of the tektin bundle. We identify conserved axonemal microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) with unique tubulin-binding modes. Additionally, we identify a testis-specific serine/threonine kinase that links DMTs to outer dense fibers in mammalian sperm. Our study provides structural foundations for understanding sperm evolution, motility, and dysfunction at a molecular level.

PubMed: 37327785
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.05.026

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (3.5 Å)