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4 November 2009 Expression of SPEF2 During Mouse Spermatogenesis and Identification of IFT20 as an Interacting Protein
Anu Sironen, Jeanette Hansen, Bo Thomsen, Magnus Andersson, Johanna Vilkki, Jorma Toppari, Noora Kotaja
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Abstract

SPEF2 is expressed in all ciliated cells and is essential for correct sperm tail development and male fertility. We have previously identified a mutation within the SPEF2 gene as the cause for infertility because of immotile and malformed sperm tails in pigs. This mutation in pigs alters the testis-specific long SPEF2 isoform and exclusively affects the sperm tail development. In infertile boars, axonemal and all accessory structures of the sperm tail are affected; thus, SPEF2 seems to participate in the organization of these structures. In the present study, we have investigated the expression of SPEF2 during mouse spermatogenesis. SPEF2 mRNA and protein products appear to be localized both in germ cells and in Sertoli cells. In differentiating germ cells, SPEF2 protein is localized in the Golgi complex, manchette, basal body, and midpiece of the sperm tail. In mature murine sperm, SPEF2 is present in the distal part of the sperm tail midpiece. Using yeast two-hybrid assay and coimmunoprecipitation experiments, we identified an interaction between SPEF2 and the intraflagellar transport protein IFT20 in the testis. Furthermore, these two proteins colocalize in differentiating male germ cells. These results support the crucial importance of SPEF2 in sperm differentiation and involvement of SPEF2 in structuring of the sperm tail.

Anu Sironen, Jeanette Hansen, Bo Thomsen, Magnus Andersson, Johanna Vilkki, Jorma Toppari, and Noora Kotaja "Expression of SPEF2 During Mouse Spermatogenesis and Identification of IFT20 as an Interacting Protein," Biology of Reproduction 82(3), 580-590, (4 November 2009). https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.108.074971
Received: 25 November 2008; Accepted: 1 October 2009; Published: 4 November 2009
KEYWORDS
IFT20
SPEF2
sperm
sperm motility and transport
sperm tail
spermatid
spermatogenesis
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