The Role of the LINC Complex in Sperm Development and Function
1
Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
2
Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Molecular Andrology, Justus-Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
3
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(23), 9058; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21239058
Received: 24 October 2020
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Revised: 24 November 2020
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Accepted: 26 November 2020
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Published: 28 November 2020
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Molecular Biology)
The LINC (LInker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) complex is localized within the nuclear envelope and consists of SUN (Sad1/UNc84 homology domain-containing) proteins located in the inner nuclear membrane and KASH (Klarsicht/Anc1/Syne1 homology domain-containing) proteins located in the outer nuclear membrane, hence linking nuclear with cytoplasmic structures. While the nucleoplasm-facing side acts as a key player for correct pairing of homolog chromosomes and rapid chromosome movements during meiosis, the cytoplasm-facing side plays a pivotal role for sperm head development and proper acrosome formation during spermiogenesis. A further complex present in spermatozoa is involved in head-to-tail coupling. An intact LINC complex is crucial for the production of fertile sperm, as mutations in genes encoding for complex proteins are known to be associated with male subfertility in both mice and men. The present review provides a comprehensive overview on our current knowledge of LINC complex subtypes present in germ cells and its central role for male reproduction. Future studies on distinct LINC complex components are an absolute requirement to improve the diagnosis of idiopathic male factor infertility and the outcome of assisted reproduction.
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Keywords:
LINC complex; chromatin; nucleoskeleton; cytoskeleton; male germ cells; spermatogenesis; SUN; KASH; sperm pathologies; male fertility
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MDPI and ACS Style
Kmonickova, V.; Frolikova, M.; Steger, K.; Komrskova, K. The Role of the LINC Complex in Sperm Development and Function. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 9058. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21239058
AMA Style
Kmonickova V, Frolikova M, Steger K, Komrskova K. The Role of the LINC Complex in Sperm Development and Function. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020; 21(23):9058. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21239058
Chicago/Turabian StyleKmonickova, Vera, Michaela Frolikova, Klaus Steger, and Katerina Komrskova. 2020. "The Role of the LINC Complex in Sperm Development and Function" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, no. 23: 9058. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21239058
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