{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "p", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "\n CATSPERZ is a recently identified accessory subunit of the CatSper channel complex—the principal calcium channel found in mammalian spermatozoa—that is essential for mediating calcium influx, regulating sperm motility, and thereby ensuring the fertilization potential of sperm. In a study of an infertile patient, a homozygous in‐frame 6‐bp deletion in exon 18 of CATSPERZ (rs761237686) was identified and predicted to be highly deleterious; this mutation was associated with a complete loss of CatSper function and an inability of the affected sperm to fertilize during in vitro fertilization (IVF)."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "1"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " Although the precise molecular mechanisms by which this mutation disrupts channel assembly or function remain to be fully elucidated, the findings indicate that CATSPERZ plays a pivotal role in the formation of the mature CatSper complex and in sustaining the calcium-dependent signaling required for normal sperm function. This discovery highlights the potential of targeting CATSPERZ and other CatSper subunits as a strategy for the development of novel male contraceptives. Moreover, complementary proteomic studies reinforce the concept that proper expression and regulation of sperm proteins, including those forming ion channel complexes, are critical for sperm motility and male fertility."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "2"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": "\n "}]}, {"type": "rg", "children": [{"type": "r", "ref": 1, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Sean G Brown, Melissa R Miller, Polina V Lishko, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Homozygous in-frame deletion in CATSPERE in a man producing spermatozoa with loss of CatSper function and compromised fertilizing capacity."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Hum Reprod (2018)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1093/humrep/dey278"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dey278"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "30239785"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30239785"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 2, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Ashima Sinha, Virendra Singh, Sarman Singh, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Proteomic analyses reveal lower expression of TEX40 and ATP6V0A2 proteins related to calcium ion entry and acrosomal acidification in asthenozoospermic males."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Life Sci (2019)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1016/j.lfs.2018.12.016"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2018.12.016"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "30550884"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30550884"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 3, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Ashok Agarwal, Manesh Kumar Panner Selvam, Saradha Baskaran "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Proteomic Analyses of Human Sperm Cells: Understanding the Role of Proteins and Molecular Pathways Affecting Male Reproductive Health."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Int J Mol Sci (2020)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.3390/ijms21051621"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21051621"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "32120839"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32120839"}]}]}]}