A testis-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase complex governs spermiogenesis and male fertility - PubMed
4 hours ago
- #male infertility
- #ubiquitin-proteasome system
- #spermiogenesis
- A testis-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, ECSASB9, regulates spermiogenesis and male fertility.
- ECSASB9 consists of elongin B/C, CUL2, RBX1, and ASB9, and its genetic ablation disrupts spermiogenesis.
- The complex targets TUBB4A for K48-linked polyubiquitination, promoting its degradation.
- Mice with Tubb4aK379R mutation show similar spermiogenesis defects as ECSASB9-deficient mice.
- Three hemizygous missense variants in ASB9 were found in Chinese males with idiopathic infertility.
- Male mice with ASB9 variants exhibit oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) and subfertility, resembling human conditions.
- The study highlights the role of UPS in tissue-specific protein degradation and male infertility.