RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 CCDC113 stabilizes sperm axoneme and head-tail coupling apparatus to ensure male fertility JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 2024.04.12.589289 DO 10.1101/2024.04.12.589289 A1 Wu, Bingbing A1 Long, Chenghong A1 Yang, Yuzhuo A1 Zhang, Zhe A1 Ma, Shuang A1 Ma, Yanjie A1 Wei, Huafang A1 Li, Jinghe A1 Jiang, Hui A1 Li, Wei A1 Liu, Chao YR 2024 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2024/10/01/2024.04.12.589289.abstract AB The structural integrity of the sperm is crucial for male fertility, defects in sperm head-tail linkage and flagellar axoneme are associated with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) and the multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF). Notably, impaired head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) often accompanies defects in the flagellum structure, however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain elusive. Here, we identified an evolutionarily conserved coiled-coil domain-containing (CCDC) protein, CCDC113, and found the disruption of CCDC113 produced spermatozoa with disorganized sperm flagella and HTCA, which caused male infertility. Further analysis revealed that CCDC113 could bind to CFAP57 and CFAP91, and function as an adaptor protein for the connection of radial spokes, nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC) and doublet microtubules (DMTs) in the sperm axoneme. Moreover, CCDC113 was identified as a structural component of HTCA, collaborating with SUN5 and CENTLEIN to connect sperm head to tail during spermiogenesis. Together, our studies reveal that CCDC113 serve as a critical hub for sperm axoneme and HTCA stabilization, providing insights into the potential pathogenesis of infertility associated with human CCDC113 mutations.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.