Judernatz Jo H, Pérez Pañeda Laura, Kadavá Tereza, Heck Albert Jr, Zeev-Ben-Mordehai Tzviya
Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Life Sci Alliance. 2025 Aug 5;8(10). doi: 10.26508/lsa.202503415. Print 2025 Oct.
The development of correctly shaped sperm cells is crucial for male reproductive health and fertility. The manchette is a transient microtubule-based structure that assembles during spermiogenesis and contributes to sperm head shaping. Defects in the manchette can cause sperm deformations and subsequent infertility. Previous studies have suggested that the manchette acts as a cellular transport platform, distributing proteins and vesicles during spermiogenesis in a process known as intra-manchette transport. The manchette and intra-manchette transport are still poorly understood, as high-resolution imaging is missing. Here, we used cryo-electron tomography and proteomics to visualize the manchette and identify some of its transport components. We characterize the overall architecture of the manchette and show that its perinuclear ring thickens as the structure constricts. We observed for the first time dynein directly interacting with the manchette. We further find F-actin as single filaments and filament clusters intercalating with the manchette microtubules. Our results provide new insights into the manchette's architecture and potential role as a transport scaffold, highlighting its significance for the shaping of sperm cells during spermiogenesis.
形态正常的精子细胞的发育对于男性生殖健康和生育能力至关重要。精子环是一种基于微管的临时性结构，在精子发生过程中组装，对精子头部的形成有作用。精子环缺陷会导致精子畸形并继而引发不育。以往研究表明，精子环作为一个细胞运输平台，在精子发生过程中通过一种称为环内运输的过程来分配蛋白质和囊泡。由于缺乏高分辨率成像，精子环和环内运输仍未得到充分了解。在此，我们使用冷冻电子断层扫描和蛋白质组学来观察精子环并识别其一些运输成分。我们描述了精子环的整体结构，并表明其核周环随着结构收缩而增厚。我们首次观察到动力蛋白直接与精子环相互作用。我们还进一步发现F-肌动蛋白以单丝和丝簇的形式与精子环微管相互穿插。我们的研究结果为精子环的结构及其作为运输支架的潜在作用提供了新的见解，突出了其在精子发生过程中对精子细胞形成的重要性。
