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Model of Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) Complex Polarization during Sperm Head Formation

Two novel spermiogenesis-specific Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complexes polarize to opposite nuclear poles where they appear to connect the nucleus/acrosome to surrounding manchette microtubules (MT) and F-actin, respectively.

The anterior polarizing non-nuclear LINC complex (red) consists of Sun1η and Nesprin3, both mainly located within the outer acrosomal membrane (OAM). Interacting with plectin Sun1η/Nesprin3 LINC complexes could anchor to anterior actin filaments present at membranous junction of spermatids and Sertoli cells.

The posterior polarizing LINC complex (green) is formed by Sun3 and Nesprin1. Interaction of Nesprin1 with microtubules (i.e. via dynein/dynactin and/or kinesin II) would enable the linkage of Sun3/Nesprin1 LINC complexes to the posterior manchette.

Thus, both poles of differentiating spermatid nuclei would be connected to cytoskeletal elements by two distinctive LINC complexes.

Links: Spermatozoa Development | Mouse Development

Reference

<pubmed>20711465</pubmed>| PLoS One.

Copyright

© 2010 Göb et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Original File name: Figure 7. Journal.pone.0012072.g007.png