Testis-enriched ferlin, FER1L5, is required for Ca2+-activated acrosome reaction and male fertility (Ikawa Lab, in Science Advances)

Researchers in Ikawa-Lab (Department of Experimental Genome Research) have identified a protein, FER1L5, that is essential for sperm to acquire fertilizing ability. Sperm from mice lacking this protein were unable to undergo the “acrosome reaction”, which releases molecules that facilitate fertilization, resulting in impaired male fertility. As FER1L5 is also present in human sperm, this work may lead to new diagnostic methods and treatments for male infertility in humans.

This article was published in Science Advances on Jan 26, 2023.

Title: “Testis-enriched ferlin, FER1L5, is required for Ca2+-activated acrosome reaction and male fertility”

Authors: Akane Morohoshi, Haruhiko Miyata, Keizo Tokuhiro, Rie Iida-Norita, Taichi Noda, Yoshitaka Fujihara, and Masahito Ikawa

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade7607

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