Tubulin, the protein subunit of microtubules (MTs), is an α/β heterodimer. In this chapter, a
hypothesis on the evolution of the tubulin molecule is proposed, based in part on recent …

Infertility is a major health problem worldwide without an effective therapy or cure. It is
estimated to affect 8–12% of couples in the reproductive age group, equally affecting both …

Aberrant sperm flagella impair sperm motility and cause male infertility, yet the genes which
have been identified in multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) can only …

This chapter examines the novel structural features of the spermatozoon, their composition
and assembly, and the mechanisms regulating their function. The spermatozoon is a highly …

Centrosomal proteins are necessary components of the centrosome, a conserved eukaryotic
organelle essential to the reproductive process. However, few centrosomal proteins have …

Newly formed centrioles in cycling cells undergo a maturation process that is almost two cell
cycles long before they become competent to function as microtubule-organizing centers …

Sperm fibrous sheath (FS) is closely related to sperm maturation, capacitation and motility,
and A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) is the most abundant protein in sperm FS. Previous …

The sperm flagellum is essential for male fertility, and defects in flagellum biogenesis are
associated with male infertility. Deficiency of coiled-coil domain-containing (CCDC) 42 …

The centrosome is a highly conserved structure composed of two centrioles surrounded by
pericentriolar material. The mother, and inherently older, centriole has distal and subdistal …

Terminal differentiation of male germ cells into functional spermatozoa requires shaping and
condensation of the nucleus as well as the formation of sperm-specific structures. A transient …