CEP44 and CCDC15 label the spermatozoa proximal and atypical distal centrioles

MicroPubl Biol. 2025 Jan 7:2025:10.17912/micropub.biology.001393. doi: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001393. eCollection 2025.

Abstract

The centrosome is a conserved characteristic of eukaryotic and human cells but is highly specialized in reproductive cells. The spermatozoan centrosome includes a slightly modified proximal centriole, an atypical distal centriole, and specialized pericentriolar material, including striated columns and capitellum. We investigated the localization of canonical centriolar proteins CEP44 and CCDC15 in human spermatozoa. We found that CEP44 localizes mainly at the proximal centriole and distal centriole bases relative to centrin. CCDC15 colocalizes with centrin in both the proximal centriole and distal centriole. These findings further our understanding of the spermatozoan centrosome composition.