Overall architecture of sperm axonemal DMTs in Cfap77-KO mice. Top left: In-cell structural determination of sperm axonemal DMTs from Cfap77-KO mice. A cryo-EM map of DMTs with an 8 nm repeat was obtained by subtomogram analysis. The lost density (yellow colour) in sperm axonemal DMTs from Cfap77-KO mice was obtained by subtracting the density map of Cfap77-KO DMTs from that of the WT DMTs (EMD-35210/35211). The transverse sectional view of DMTs and the side view of the B-tubule lumen are shown. Bottom left: The atomic model of WT DMTs (PDB: 8I7O) fitted into the density map of Cfap77-KO DMTs. The Cfap77-KO DMTs presented a loss of density corresponding to the CFAP77-CCDC105-TEX43 subcomplex near protofilaments A11 and A12. Right: OJ-focused classification performed with good DMT particles. Red arrowheads mark the sites at which protofilament contacts are weakened or lost (A10–B01 and B01–B02).
Mammalian #cilia & #flagella depend on association of A- & B-tubules to form axonemal doublet #microtubules, but how? This study shows that CFAP77 is essential role for #axonemal connection of these tubules and crucial for #sperm motility & #fertility in mice @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4ouZ2KJ
