The tubulin code in mammalian sperm development and function.

ABSTRACT

Microtubules are cytoskeletal elements that play key roles throughout the different steps of sperm development. As an integral part of the sperm flagellum, the molecular machine that generates sperm motility, microtubules are also essential for the progressive swimming of sperm to the oocyte, which is a prerequisite for fertilisation. Given the central role of microtubules in all steps of spermatogenesis, their functions need to be tightly controlled. Recent work has showcased tubulin posttranslational modifications as key players in sperm development and function, with aberrations often leading to male infertility with a broad spectrum of sperm defects. Posttranslational modifications are part of the tubulin code, a mechanism that can control microtubule functions by modulating the properties of their molecular building blocks, the tubulin proteins. Here we review the current knowledge on the implications of the tubulin code in sperm development and functions and its importance for male fertility.