CFAP47 is involved in sperm head–tail coupling via cooperating with Septin12 and SUN5: gene knockout and protein analysis
Tingting Liu, Yuyan Su, Gang Liu, Lihua Huang, Xiaoxue Liu, Xiuwen Xu, Xiaowei XingContext
Sperm head–tail linkage is essential for maintaining sperm integrity and male fertility. Although CFAP47 is associated with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella, its role in sperm head–tail coupling remains unclear.
Aims
This study aimed to investigate the role of CFAP47 in sperm head–tail connection.
Methods
A Cfap47 knockout mouse model was established to assess sperm motility and morphology. Molecular docking, co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays were used to investigate the relationships of CFAP47, Septin12 and SUN5.
Key results
Cfap47 knockout mice exhibited impaired sperm motility and severe sperm morphological defects, with approximately 70% of sperm displaying abnormal head–tail connection or decapitation. Co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays demonstrated that CFAP47 cooperates with Septin12 and SUN5. CFAP47 deficiency reduced the protein expression levels and affected their localization at the sperm head–tail junction.
Conclusions
CFAP47 is essential for sperm head–tail coupling.
Implications
These findings provide new insight into the molecular basis of sperm head–tail connection.