The microtubule(MT)-associated proteins KIF3A and KIF3B are ubiquitously expressed in a wide range of taxa.This study investigated the functions of these proteins in spermiogenesis,which involves various MT-dependent processes,in Phasco-losoma esculenta.We cloned the complete cDNA of Pe-KIF3A/3B.Structural predictions showed that Pe-KIF3A/3B are composed of a highly conserved motor domain,a coiled-coil domain,and a tail domain.Real-time quantitative PCR showed that Pe-kif3a/3b are expressed in all tissues evaluated,with the highest levels in sperm masses.Fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunofluo-rescence were employed to analyze the dynamic expression patterns of KIF3A/3B during spermiogenesis.Pe-KIF3A/3B consistently co-localized with MTs at all stages of spermiogenesis,indicating their potential functions in cargo trafficking.Pe-KIF3A/3B co-localized with mitochondria,suggesting that they may mediate mitochondrial movement.In late-stage spermatids and mature sperm,co-localization was detected in the midpiece,suggesting that Pe-KIF3A/3B could facilitate midpiece formation.The co-localization of Pe-KIF3A and Pe-KIF3B at all stages of spermiogenesis suggests their function as the heterodimeric KIF3AB.Basing on the ob-served temporal and spatial expression patterns of Pe-KIF3A/3B,MTs,and mitochondria in our study,we suggest that heterodimer KIF3AB has a potential role in acrosome biogenesis,sperm head remodeling,enflagellation,and mitochondrial migration during spermiogenesis in P.esculenta.In addition,our study on the morphological characteristics of spermatogenic cells provided fundamental data on the reproductive biology of P.esculenta.

DU Chen;MU Danli;GAO Xinming;LUO Shengyu;WANG Jianping;JIN Shan;ZHU Junquan

Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology by the Ministry of Education,Ningbo University,Ningbo 315211,China;Ningbo Academy of Oceanology and Fisheries,Ningbo 315012,China

中国海洋大学学报（自然科学英文版）

[1]DU Chen;MU Danli;GAO Xinming;LUO Shengyu;WANG Jianping;JIN Shan;ZHU Junquan-.Expression Characteristics and Putative Functions of KIF3A/KIF3B During Spermiogenesis of Phascolosoma esculenta)[J].中国海洋大学学报（自然科学英文版）,2022(04):998-1016

KIF3A,Spermiogenesis,Phasco,losoma,kif3a,immunofluo,midpiece,KIF3AB,enflagellation

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