CFAP61

UniProt ID: Q8NHU2
Organism: Homo sapiens
Review Status: IN PROGRESS
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Gene Description

CFAP61 (Cilia- and flagella-associated protein 61; formerly C20orf26) is a structural scaffold protein and conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated complex (CSC) in motile cilia and flagella. The CSC, composed of CFAP61, CFAP91/MAATS1, and CFAP251/WDR66, connects the radial spokes to the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), mediating mechanochemical signal transduction that coordinates dynein motor activity and ciliary/flagellar beating. CFAP61 is specifically required for the stable assembly of radial spoke 3 (RS3) and contributes to RS2 base formation. In sperm, loss of CFAP61 causes collapse of axonemal architecture with loss of central pair, radial spokes, and inner dynein arms, resulting in multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) and male infertility (SPGF84). Despite containing a Rossmann-like FAD/NAD(P)-binding superfamily fold (residues 665-998), CFAP61 has no enzymatic activity; this domain serves as a structural scaffold for protein-protein interactions within the axoneme. The protein also has a CFAP61-specific N-terminal domain and a C-terminal dimerisation domain. CFAP61 is expressed in all tissues with motile cilia, including respiratory epithelium, fallopian tubes, and testis, though disease phenotypes from human mutations are restricted to male infertility without classical primary ciliary dyskinesia symptoms.

Proposed New Ontology Terms

calmodulin- and spoke-associated complex

Definition: A protein complex associated with the radial spokes of motile cilia and flagella, composed of CFAP61, CFAP91/MAATS1, and CFAP251/WDR66 (mammalian nomenclature; FAP61/CaM-IP3, FAP91/CaM-IP2, FAP251/CaM-IP4 in Chlamydomonas). The CSC connects radial spoke 2 (RS2), radial spoke 3 (RS3), and the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), mediating mechanochemical signal transduction for coordinated ciliary beating.

Justification: The CSC is a well-characterized multi-protein complex with a defined composition and function in motile cilia across eukaryotes. It has been the subject of numerous studies since its identification in Chlamydomonas (PMID:21613541). No GO CC term currently exists for this complex. Having a term would allow annotation of CFAP61, CFAP91, and CFAP251 as part_of the CSC.

Parent term: dynein complex

Supporting Evidence:

Existing Annotations Review

GO Term Evidence Action Reason
GO:0005930 axoneme
IDA
PMID:28282151
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Human Airway Cilia Identi...
ACCEPT
Summary: CFAP61 was identified in the axoneme by quantitative proteomic analysis of human airway cilia. This is direct experimental evidence for axonemal localization in human respiratory epithelial cilia.
Reason: Direct proteomic detection in purified human airway ciliary axonemes provides strong evidence for axonemal localization. This is consistent with CFAP61's known role as a structural component of the calmodulin- and spoke-associated complex (CSC), which is an integral axonemal complex.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:28282151
...Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Human Airway Cilia Identifies Previously Uncharacterized Proteins of High Abundance...
GO:0005930 axoneme
IDA
PMID:36659204
Absence of murine CFAP61 causes male infertility due to mult...
ACCEPT
Summary: Cfap61 was detected in the axoneme of mouse sperm by immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry, initially at the neck of elongating spermatids, later at the midpiece of mature sperm.
Reason: Direct immunolocalization in mouse sperm flagella axoneme. Transferred to human by MGI annotation. Consistent with human proteomic data (PMID:28282151) and the structural role of CFAP61 in the CSC complex.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:36659204
...Cfap61 is initially localized at the neck of sperm, where it potentially functions in flagellum formation, and is later localized to the midpiece of the sperm...
GO:0036126 sperm flagellum
IDA
PMID:36659204
Absence of murine CFAP61 causes male infertility due to mult...
ACCEPT
Summary: Cfap61 protein was detected in sperm flagella by immunofluorescence in mouse, and separately confirmed in human sperm flagella by immunofluorescence with anti-CFAP61 antibodies.
Reason: Direct immunolocalization data in both mouse (PMID:36659204) and human (PMID:35174165) sperm. CFAP61 localizes along the full length of human sperm flagella (in contrast to mouse where it is more restricted to midpiece in mature sperm). Core localization for this protein.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:36659204
...Cfap61 is initially localized at the neck of sperm, where it potentially functions in flagellum formation, and is later localized to the midpiece of the sperm...
PMID:35174165
...The specific signals of CFAP61, co-localizing with alpha-Tubulin, were detected on the sperm tails from a fertile control...
GO:0120316 sperm flagellum assembly
IMP
PMID:35174165
Biallelic Variants in CFAP61 Cause Multiple Morphological Ab...
ACCEPT
Summary: Biallelic loss-of-function variants in CFAP61 (frameshift and nonsense) cause MMAF with severely disorganized axonemal ultrastructures in human sperm, including missing central pair, radial spokes, and inner dynein arms.
Reason: Multiple independent human families with biallelic CFAP61 variants show MMAF phenotype. TEM revealed severely disorganized axonemes. Both CFAP61 and CFAP251 signals were absent from patient sperm tails. This is strong IMP evidence that CFAP61 is required for normal sperm flagellum assembly.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:35174165
...variants, c.451_452del (p.I151Nfs*4) in family 1 and c.847C > T (p.R283*) in family 2 and 3, were identified recessively co-segregating with the MMAF phenotype. Transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed severe disorganized axonemal ultrastructures...
GO:0030317 flagellated sperm motility
IMP
PMID:34792097
CFAP61 is required for sperm flagellum formation and male fe...
ACCEPT
Summary: Cfap61 knockout mice show severely impaired sperm motility. Human patients with CFAP61 splice variant also show asthenozoospermia. The protein is required for axoneme stability during spermiogenesis, and loss leads to axoneme scattering and disrupted IFT protein distribution.
Reason: Strong genetic evidence from both mouse knockout and human mutation that CFAP61 is required for flagellated sperm motility. The mechanism is indirect -- CFAP61 is needed for radial spoke assembly, and without intact radial spokes the axoneme becomes unstable and motility is lost. The qualifier acts_upstream_of_or_within (in GOA) is appropriate since CFAP61's role is structural rather than directly in the motility machinery.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:34792097
...CFAP61 is required for sperm flagellum formation and male fertility in human and mouse... the assembly of radial spoke components is impaired. As spermiogenesis progresses, the axoneme in Cfap61-/- cells becomes unstable and scatters...
GO:0120316 sperm flagellum assembly
IMP
PMID:34792097
CFAP61 is required for sperm flagellum formation and male fe...
ACCEPT
Summary: Cfap61 knockout mice show MMAF phenotype with impaired radial spoke assembly during early spermatid development, progressing to axoneme instability and scattering.
Reason: Complementary to the human IMP evidence from PMID:35174165. The mouse knockout provides detailed mechanistic insight: CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head, and its absence impairs radial spoke assembly early in spermiogenesis.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:34792097
...We find that CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head. During early stages of Cfap61-/- spermatid development, the assembly of radial spoke components is impaired...
GO:0036126 sperm flagellum
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Phylogenetically inferred sperm flagellum localization based on PANTHER tree analysis. This is now independently confirmed by direct experimental evidence (IDA from PMID:36659204 and IF data from PMID:35174165).
Reason: The IBA annotation is correct and consistent with the IDA evidence. The phylogenetic inference is sound given the highly conserved CSC function across species, and is independently confirmed by direct experimental evidence.
GO:0120316 sperm flagellum assembly
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Phylogenetically inferred involvement in sperm flagellum assembly. Confirmed by direct IMP evidence from human and mouse studies.
Reason: Correct inference, independently confirmed by direct experimental evidence (IMP from PMID:34792097 and PMID:35174165). Sperm flagellum assembly is a core function of CFAP61.
GO:0005856 cytoskeleton
IEA
GO_REF:0000044
MODIFY
Summary: Electronic annotation mapping from UniProt subcellular location. CFAP61 is indeed a cytoskeletal protein as a component of the axoneme.
Reason: While technically correct, 'cytoskeleton' is too general. CFAP61 specifically localizes to the axoneme, which is already annotated with stronger evidence. The more specific term 'axoneme' (GO:0005930) is preferred and has IDA evidence.
Proposed replacements: axoneme
IEA
GO_REF:0000044
MODIFY
Summary: Electronic annotation from UniProt subcellular location. CFAP61 is present in cilia.
Reason: CFAP61 is specifically a component of motile cilia (not primary/immotile cilia). The term 'motile cilium' (GO:0031514) would be more accurate and is already present as an ISS annotation.
Proposed replacements: motile cilium
GO:0005930 axoneme
IEA
GO_REF:0000044
ACCEPT
Summary: Electronic annotation of axoneme localization from UniProt. Correct and supported by direct experimental evidence.
Reason: Correct annotation, consistent with IDA evidence from PMID:28282151 and PMID:36659204. Axoneme localization is a core aspect of CFAP61 function as a CSC component.
GO:0003341 cilium movement
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
ACCEPT
Summary: Transferred from Tetrahymena FAP61 ortholog (UniProtKB:A8IF44). In Tetrahymena, loss of FAP61 reduces cell swimming and affects ciliary waveform. In Chlamydomonas, CSC disruption impairs flagellar motility.
Reason: Well-supported ISS annotation. The role of CFAP61 in cilium movement is clearly established in multiple organisms through the CSC complex function. While direct evidence in human respiratory cilia is not yet available, the conserved mechanism of radial spoke-mediated motility regulation makes this a strong inference. Patients with CFAP61 mutations notably do not present PCD symptoms, suggesting possible redundancy in respiratory cilia, but the protein is present in airway cilia (PMID:28282151).
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:25694453
...loss of either FAP61 or FAP251 reduces cell swimming and affects the ciliary waveform and that RS3 is either missing or incomplete, whereas RS1 and RS2 are unaffected...
PMID:21613541
...analysis of both flagellar beating and microtubule sliding in vitro demonstrates that the CSC plays a critical role in modulating dynein activity...
GO:0031514 motile cilium
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
ACCEPT
Summary: Transferred from Tetrahymena ortholog. CFAP61 is a component of motile cilia, confirmed by its proteomic identification in human airway cilia.
Reason: Correct and well-supported. CFAP61 was directly identified in human airway motile cilia by proteomics (PMID:28282151), confirming the ISS transfer. Motile cilium is the appropriate specific CC term for this protein.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:28282151
...Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Human Airway Cilia Identifies Previously Uncharacterized Proteins of High Abundance...
GO:0044782 cilium organization
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
MODIFY
Summary: Transferred from Chlamydomonas (Q23F13) and Tetrahymena (Q24DE2) orthologs. CFAP61 is involved in the structural organization of cilia through its role in radial spoke assembly.
Reason: While CFAP61 does contribute to cilium organization, the term is very broad. The more specific term 'radial spoke assembly' (GO:0062177) better captures the actual function of CFAP61 within the CSC. CFAP61 is specifically required for RS3 assembly and contributes to RS2 base formation.
Proposed replacements: radial spoke assembly
GO:0001536 radial spoke stalk
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
ACCEPT
Summary: Transferred from Tetrahymena FAP61 ortholog. The CSC localizes at the base of radial spokes and CFAP61 specifically contributes to RS3 stem structure. In Liu et al. 2021, CFAP61 was shown to interact with radial spoke stalk and head.
Reason: The qualifier 'colocalizes_with' is appropriate for this ISS annotation. CFAP61 as a CSC component is located at the base of radial spokes and interacts with stalk proteins. The colocalizes_with qualifier correctly indicates proximity/association rather than being part_of the radial spoke stalk per se.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:25694453
...FAP61-null cilia lack an adjacent portion of the RS3 stem region...
PMID:34792097
...CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head...
GO:0005930 axoneme
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
ACCEPT
Summary: Transferred from Tetrahymena ortholog. Axonemal localization is confirmed by multiple lines of evidence in human and mouse.
Reason: Correct annotation, consistent with IDA evidence from PMID:28282151 and PMID:36659204. Axoneme localization is a core aspect of CFAP61 function.
GO:0005200 structural constituent of cytoskeleton
ISS
PMID:25694453
The CSC proteins FAP61 and FAP251 build the basal substructu...
NEW
Summary: CFAP61 functions as a structural scaffold within the axonemal CSC complex. It has no known enzymatic activity despite containing a Rossmann-like fold domain. Its loss specifically disrupts the structural integrity of radial spoke 3 in Tetrahymena and the entire axoneme in mammalian sperm. This is a molecular function annotation that is currently missing from GOA.
Reason: CFAP61 has no molecular function annotation in GOA. Its role as a structural scaffold in the axoneme CSC is well established. The protein contains a Rossmann-like FAD/NAD(P)-binding fold that functions as a scaffolding domain rather than an enzyme. GO:0005200 (structural constituent of cytoskeleton) is the most appropriate MF term for a non-enzymatic structural component of the axoneme.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:25694453
...FAP61-null cilia lack an adjacent portion of the RS3 stem region...
PMID:34792097
...CFAP61 is a conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated complex (CSC) of cilia... CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head...
GO:0062177 radial spoke assembly
ISS
PMID:25694453
The CSC proteins FAP61 and FAP251 build the basal substructu...
NEW
Summary: CFAP61 is required for radial spoke 3 assembly in Tetrahymena and for radial spoke component assembly during spermiogenesis in mouse. This process annotation is not currently in GOA but is a core function of the protein.
Reason: Radial spoke assembly is the primary biological process function of CFAP61 within the CSC. In Tetrahymena, FAP61 loss specifically ablates RS3 stem structure. In mouse spermatids, CFAP61 loss impairs radial spoke component assembly during early spermiogenesis. This is more specific and informative than the existing 'cilium organization' annotation.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:25694453
...loss of either FAP61 or FAP251 reduces cell swimming and affects the ciliary waveform and that RS3 is either missing or incomplete, whereas RS1 and RS2 are unaffected...
PMID:34792097
...During early stages of Cfap61-/- spermatid development, the assembly of radial spoke components is impaired...

Core Functions

CFAP61 functions as a structural scaffold within the calmodulin- and spoke-associated complex (CSC), providing the structural basis for radial spoke 3 (RS3) assembly and contributing to RS2 base stability. Through the CSC, CFAP61 mediates the connection between radial spokes and the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), enabling mechanochemical signal transduction that coordinates dynein motor activity and ciliary beating. The protein contains a Rossmann-like FAD/NAD(P)-binding fold that serves as a structural scaffold rather than an enzyme active site, an N-terminal axoneme-targeting domain, and a C-terminal dimerisation domain.

Supporting Evidence:
  • PMID:25694453
    ...FAP61-null cilia lack an adjacent portion of the RS3 stem region... loss of either FAP61 or FAP251 reduces cell swimming and affects the ciliary waveform and that RS3 is either missing or incomplete...
  • PMID:34792097
    ...CFAP61 is a conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated complex (CSC) of cilia... CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head...
  • PMID:22740634
    ...the CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein regulation: RS2, the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), and RS3S...

In sperm, CFAP61 is essential for flagellum morphogenesis and motility. Loss of CFAP61 function causes multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) and male infertility (SPGF84). CFAP61 interacts with intraflagellar transport proteins (IFT22, IFT81, WDR35) and its loss disrupts IFT protein distribution during spermiogenesis.

Supporting Evidence:
  • PMID:34792097
    ...CFAP61 is required for sperm flagellum formation and male fertility in human and mouse... the assembly of radial spoke components is impaired. As spermiogenesis progresses, the axoneme in Cfap61-/- cells becomes unstable and scatters, and the distribution of intraflagellar transport proteins is disrupted...
  • PMID:35174165
    ...CFAP61 and CFAP251 signals were absent from sperm tails of the patients, which suggested the loss of functional CSC in sperm flagella...

References

Manual transfer of experimentally-verified manual GO annotation data to orthologs by curator judgment of sequence similarity
Annotation inferences using phylogenetic trees
Gene Ontology annotation based on UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot Subcellular Location vocabulary mapping, accompanied by conservative changes to GO terms applied by UniProt
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Human Airway Cilia Identifies Previously Uncharacterized Proteins of High Abundance.
  • CFAP61 was identified in human airway ciliary axonemes by quantitative LC/MS proteomics.
    "...Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Human Airway Cilia Identifies Previously Uncharacterized Proteins of High Abundance..."
CFAP61 is required for sperm flagellum formation and male fertility in human and mouse.
  • CFAP61 is a conserved CSC component. A splice variant causes MMAF in human. Cfap61 knockout mice are infertile with impaired radial spoke assembly during spermiogenesis and subsequent axoneme instability.
    "...CFAP61 is a conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated complex (CSC) of cilia... the assembly of radial spoke components is impaired. As spermiogenesis progresses, the axoneme in Cfap61-/- cells becomes unstable and scatters, and the distribution of intraflagellar transport proteins is disrupted..."
  • CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk, and head proteins including CFAP91, RSPH3A, ROPN1, ROPN1L, RSPH9, DYNLT1, DYNC1I2, TUBB3, and IFT proteins.
    "...CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head..."
  • This study reveals an organ-specific mechanism of axoneme stabilization. Cfap61 knockout mice show infertility but not other PCD symptoms.
    "...We generated Cfap61 knockout mice that recapitulate the infertility phenotype of the human CFAP61 mutation, but without other symptoms usually observed in PCD..."
Biallelic Variants in CFAP61 Cause Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the Flagella and Male Infertility.
  • Biallelic CFAP61 variants (frameshift p.I151Nfs*4 and nonsense p.R283*) cause MMAF with severely disorganized axonemes in three Pakistani families with 11 infertile males.
    "...variants, c.451_452del (p.I151Nfs*4) in family 1 and c.847C > T (p.R283*) in family 2 and 3, were identified recessively co-segregating with the MMAF phenotype. Transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed severe disorganized axonemal ultrastructures, and missings of central pair, RSs, and inner dynein arms were also observed..."
  • Both CFAP61 and CFAP251 proteins are absent from patient sperm tails, indicating loss of the entire CSC complex.
    "...CFAP61 and CFAP251 signals were absent from sperm tails of the patients, which suggested the loss of functional CSC in sperm flagella..."
Absence of murine CFAP61 causes male infertility due to multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella.
  • Cfap61 knockout mice show MMAF with short, coiled, and irregular flagella. Cfap61 localizes first to the neck, then to the midpiece of mature sperm.
    "...Cfap61 is initially localized at the neck of sperm, where it potentially functions in flagellum formation, and is later localized to the midpiece of the sperm..."
Biallelic CFAP61 variants cause male infertility in humans and mice with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
  • Additional CFAP61 pathogenic variants (R552C, D971N, splice site, G556R) identified in OAT patients with MMAF, absence of central pair, and mitochondrial sheath malformation.
    "...CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that CFAP61 is essential for spermatogenesis and that biallelic CFAP61 variants lead to male infertility in humans and mice with OAT..."
The CSC proteins FAP61 and FAP251 build the basal substructures of radial spoke 3 in cilia.
  • In Tetrahymena, FAP61 is required for RS3 stem assembly. FAP61-null cilia have missing or incomplete RS3 while RS1 and RS2 are unaffected. Loss reduces cell swimming and alters ciliary waveform.
    "...loss of either FAP61 or FAP251 reduces cell swimming and affects the ciliary waveform and that RS3 is either missing or incomplete, whereas RS1 and RS2 are unaffected. Specifically, FAP251-null cilia lack an arch-like density at the RS3 base, whereas FAP61-null cilia lack an adjacent portion of the RS3 stem region..."
The CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein regulation.
  • The CSC connects RS2, the N-DRC, and RS3 stand-in (RS3S) in Chlamydomonas, providing a structural link for signal transduction from radial spokes to dynein motors.
    "...the CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein regulation: RS2, the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), and RS3S..."
The CSC is required for complete radial spoke assembly and wild-type ciliary motility.
  • The CSC was first characterized as a calmodulin- and spoke-associated complex in Chlamydomonas. It is required for RS2 assembly and modulates dynein activity.
    "...We previously identified a CaM and Spoke associated Complex (CSC) and provided evidence that this complex mediates regulatory signals between the radial spokes and dynein arms... the CSC is required for spoke assembly and wild-type motility..."
Cfap91-Dependent Stability of the RS2 and RS3 Base Proteins and Adjacent Inner Dynein Arms in Tetrahymena Cilia.
  • Cfap91 is required for stable docking of RS3 and RS2 base proteins. Loss of Cfap91 causes significant reduction of Cfap61 and Cfap251 levels at the axoneme.
    "...The localization studies confirmed that the level of RS3-specific proteins, Cfap61 and Cfap251, as well as RS2-associated Cfap206, are significantly diminished in Tetrahymena CFAP91-KO cells..."
CFAP61 knockdown aggravates male infertility by inhibiting testosterone secretion by Leydig cells via the MAPK/COX-2 pathway.
  • In vitro knockdown of CFAP61 in Leydig cells reduced testosterone secretion via MAPK/COX-2 pathway activation. Physiological relevance is uncertain.
    "...CFAP61 knockdown reduced the Leydig cell viability and testosterone secretion and enhanced apoptosis..."
file:human/CFAP61/CFAP61-notes.md
CFAP61 review notes
  • CFAP61 contains a Rossmann-like FAD/NAD(P)-binding superfamily fold (residues 665-998) that functions as a structural scaffold, not an enzyme. The BioReason-Pro paper highlights this as an example of a domain that could mislead automated annotation pipelines into predicting enzymatic function.

Suggested Questions for Experts

Q: Why do human patients with biallelic CFAP61 loss-of-function mutations not present with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) symptoms affecting respiratory cilia, despite CFAP61 being present in airway cilia? Is there functional redundancy in respiratory cilia that compensates for CFAP61 loss?

Q: What is the functional significance of the Rossmann-like FAD/NAD(P)-binding fold in CFAP61? Does it bind any cofactor or ligand, or is it purely a structural scaffold? Has anyone tested for oxidoreductase or other enzymatic activity?

Q: How does CFAP61 interact with intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins WDR35, IFT22, and IFT81? Is CFAP61 itself an IFT cargo, or does it play a role in organizing IFT within the axoneme?

Suggested Experiments

Experiment: Express and purify the isolated Rossmann-like domain (residues 665-998) of CFAP61 and test for FAD/NAD(P) binding by isothermal titration calorimetry or thermal shift assay. Test for oxidoreductase activity using standard spectrophotometric assays. If no cofactor binding or activity is detected, use the domain for pull-down experiments to identify its binding partners within the CSC/radial spoke machinery.

Hypothesis: The Rossmann-like domain of CFAP61 has no catalytic activity and functions purely as a protein-protein interaction scaffold.

Type: biochemical assay

Experiment: Generate conditional Cfap61 knockout in mouse airway epithelial cells. Analyze ciliary beating frequency and waveform by high-speed video microscopy. Perform cryo-ET of respiratory cilia to determine whether RS3 is affected. Compare with Cfap91 and Cfap251 knockouts to test whether CSC component redundancy differs between tissues.

Hypothesis: CFAP61 function in respiratory cilia is compensated by redundant mechanisms, explaining the absence of PCD in patients with CFAP61 mutations.

Type: mouse genetics / ciliary physiology

📚 Additional Documentation

Notes

(CFAP61-notes.md)

CFAP61 Gene Review Notes

Gene Overview

CFAP61 (Cilia- and flagella-associated protein 61; formerly C20orf26) encodes a 1237 amino acid protein (UniProt Q8NHU2) on chromosome 20. It is a conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated complex (CSC) in motile cilia and flagella.

Key Literature Findings

CSC complex composition and function

CFAP61 is the mammalian ortholog of Chlamydomonas FAP61 (also known as CaM-IP3). The CSC consists of three core proteins: FAP61, FAP91, and FAP251 (mammalian orthologs: CFAP61, CFAP91/MAATS1, CFAP251/WDR66) [PMID:21613541 "We previously identified a CaM and Spoke associated Complex (CSC) and provided evidence that this complex mediates regulatory signals between the radial spokes and dynein arms"; DOI:10.1091/mbc.E11-03-0271].

Role in radial spoke 3 assembly (Tetrahymena)

In Tetrahymena, FAP61 and FAP251 are crucial for stable assembly of radial spoke 3 (RS3). Loss of FAP61 causes loss of an adjacent portion of the RS3 stem region, while FAP251 loss removes an arch-like density at the RS3 base [PMID:25694453 "loss of either FAP61 or FAP251 reduces cell swimming and affects the ciliary waveform and that RS3 is either missing or incomplete, whereas RS1 and RS2 are unaffected"; DOI:10.1091/mbc.E14-11-1545].

CSC connects radial spokes, N-DRC, and dynein regulation

The CSC connects three major axonemal complexes: RS2, the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), and RS3 stand-in (RS3S). This provides a structural link for signal transduction from radial spokes to dynein motors [PMID:22740634 "the CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein regulation: RS2, the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), and RS3S"; DOI:10.1091/mbc.E12-05-0357].

CFAP61 in human sperm flagellum formation (Liu et al. 2021)

Liu et al. demonstrated CFAP61 is a conserved CSC component required for sperm flagellum formation. A splice variant (c.143+5G>A) causes MMAF phenotype. Cfap61 knockout mice recapitulate the infertility phenotype without other PCD symptoms. CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head. During early spermatid development, loss of CFAP61 impairs radial spoke component assembly [PMID:34792097 "CFAP61 is a conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated complex (CSC) of cilia... the assembly of radial spoke components is impaired. As spermiogenesis progresses, the axoneme in Cfap61-/- cells becomes unstable and scatters"; DOI:10.1242/dev.199805].

CFAP61 mutations cause MMAF and male infertility (Ma et al. 2022)

Three Pakistani families with 11 infertile males carrying biallelic CFAP61 variants showed MMAF. TEM revealed severely disorganized axonemal ultrastructures with missing central pair, radial spokes, and inner dynein arms. Both CFAP61 and CFAP251 signals were absent from patient sperm tails [PMID:35174165 "CFAP61 and CFAP251 signals were absent from sperm tails of the patients, which suggested the loss of functional CSC in sperm flagella"; DOI:10.3389/fcell.2021.803818].

Mouse Cfap61 knockout (Huang et al. 2020)

Cfap61 knockout mice show MMAF phenotype including short, coiled, and irregular flagella. Cfap61 initially localizes at the neck of sperm, functioning in flagellum formation, and later localizes to the midpiece [PMID:36659204 "Cfap61 is initially localized at the neck of sperm, where it potentially functions in flagellum formation, and is later localized to the midpiece of the sperm"; DOI:10.1016/j.scib.2020.01.023].

OAT phenotype and additional variants (Hu et al. 2023)

Biallelic CFAP61 variants (p.R552C, p.D971N, splice site, p.G556R) were found in infertile men with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. H&E and electron microscopy showed MMAF, absence of central pair microtubules, and mitochondrial sheath malformation [PMID:35387802 "CFAP61 is essential for spermatogenesis and that biallelic variants lead to male infertility in humans and mice with OAT"; DOI:10.1136/jmedgenet-2021-108249].

Cfap91-dependent stability (Bicka et al. 2022)

In Tetrahymena, loss of Cfap91 causes significant reduction of RS3-specific proteins Cfap61 and Cfap251 at the axoneme level. This demonstrates interdependency among CSC components for radial spoke stability [PMID:36552811 "the level of RS3-specific proteins, Cfap61 and Cfap251, as well as RS2-associated Cfap206, are significantly diminished in CFAP91-KO cells"; DOI:10.3390/cells11244048].

Proteomic identification in airway cilia (Blackburn et al. 2017)

CFAP61 was identified in quantitative proteomic analysis of human airway cilia, establishing its presence in respiratory motile cilia (not just sperm flagella) [PMID:28282151 "Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Human Airway Cilia Identifies Previously Uncharacterized Proteins of High Abundance"; DOI:10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00972].

Testosterone/Leydig cell study (Zhu et al. 2023)

CFAP61 knockdown in Leydig cells reduced testosterone secretion via MAPK/COX-2 pathway. This study suggests broader roles beyond structural functions, though the physiological relevance and specificity of these in vitro findings remain uncertain [PMID:37982895 "CFAP61 knockdown reduced the Leydig cell viability and testosterone secretion and enhanced apoptosis"; DOI:10.1007/s10142-023-01271-1].

Domain Architecture and Pseudoenzyme Status

InterPro domain annotations for Q8NHU2:

  • N-terminal domain (IPR032151/PF16092): residues 16-266 - CFAP61-specific N-terminal domain
  • FAD/NAD(P)-binding domain superfamily (IPR036188): residues 665-998 - Rossmann-like fold
  • CFAP61 dimerisation domain (IPR056299/PF23150): residues 1033-1151
  • PANTHER family PTHR21178 spans nearly the entire protein (13-1235)

BioReason-Pro analysis of pseudoenzyme status

The BioReason-Pro preprint (bioRxiv DOI:10.64898/2026.03.19.712954) highlights CFAP61 as an example of a protein with a domain architecture that superficially suggests enzymatic function. The Rossmann-like FAD/NAD(P)-binding superfamily fold (residues 665-998) could mislead domain-lookup pipelines into predicting oxidoreductase activity. However, BioReason-Pro correctly resolves this: the Rossmann-like domain is situated between an N-terminal axonemal targeting module and a C-terminal dimerization domain, all within a cilia-specific protein family. The model infers the Rossmann-like domain contributes a stable structural core for scaffolding interactions rather than catalysis.

Assessment of pseudoenzyme claim

The term "pseudoenzyme" is used somewhat loosely here. CFAP61 has a Rossmann-like fold classified under the FAD/NAD(P)-binding superfamily (SUPFAM SSF51905), but this is a structural classification -- many proteins have Rossmann folds without being enzymes. There is NO evidence that CFAP61 has any catalytic activity, nor does UniProt annotate any enzymatic function. The protein has no metallopeptidase domain annotated in InterPro/Pfam. The HEXXH motif claim from the task description may be confused with another protein or may refer to a degenerate sequence motif within the Rossmann fold region that is not annotated as a metallopeptidase domain in current databases.

Key point: CFAP61 functions as a structural scaffold within the CSC complex, essential for radial spoke assembly and axoneme integrity. It has no known enzymatic function. The Rossmann-like fold likely provides a stable protein-protein interaction surface rather than catalytic activity.

Interaction Partners (from UniProt, by similarity to mouse ortholog Q8CEL2)

  • CFAP91/MAATS1 (CSC component)
  • CFAP251/WDR66 (CSC component)
  • ODAD2/ARMC4
  • RSPH3A (radial spoke head)
  • ROPN1, ROPN1L
  • RSPH9 (radial spoke head)
  • DYNLT1, DYNC1I2, TUBB3
  • WDR35, IFT22, IFT81 (IFT proteins)
  • CFAP70

Disease Association

Spermatogenic failure 84 (SPGF84; MIM 620409): autosomal recessive male infertility with MMAF phenotype. Multiple pathogenic variants reported across different populations.

Tissue Expression

According to HPA: tissue-enhanced expression in fallopian tube, heart muscle, skeletal muscle, testis. Consistent with presence in all motile cilia, not just sperm.

Structural Data

PDB 8J07: cryo-EM structure at 4.10 A resolution. This shows the entire CFAP61 protein in context of the axonemal repeat.

Missing Annotations / Gaps

  1. No MF annotation in GOA - CFAP61 has no molecular function GO annotation
  2. The UniProt GO section lists GO:0120317 (sperm mitochondrial sheath assembly) via IMP:MGI, but this is NOT in the GOA file for this protein
  3. No annotation to radial spoke assembly (GO:0062177) despite this being a core function
  4. No annotation to calmodulin-spoke associated complex (no GO term exists for CSC)
  5. The ISS annotations transfer from Chlamydomonas/Tetrahymena orthologs but some are quite appropriate given the high conservation of CSC function

📄 View Raw YAML

id: Q8NHU2
gene_symbol: CFAP61
product_type: PROTEIN
status: IN_PROGRESS
taxon:
  id: NCBITaxon:9606
  label: Homo sapiens
description: >-
  CFAP61 (Cilia- and flagella-associated protein 61; formerly C20orf26) is a structural
  scaffold
  protein and conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated complex
  (CSC)
  in motile cilia and flagella. The CSC, composed of CFAP61, CFAP91/MAATS1, and CFAP251/WDR66,
  connects the radial spokes to the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), mediating
  mechanochemical signal transduction that coordinates dynein motor activity and ciliary/flagellar
  beating. CFAP61 is specifically required for the stable assembly of radial spoke
  3 (RS3) and
  contributes to RS2 base formation. In sperm, loss of CFAP61 causes collapse of axonemal
  architecture with loss of central pair, radial spokes, and inner dynein arms, resulting
  in
  multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) and male infertility
  (SPGF84).
  Despite containing a Rossmann-like FAD/NAD(P)-binding superfamily fold (residues
  665-998),
  CFAP61 has no enzymatic activity; this domain serves as a structural scaffold for
  protein-protein interactions within the axoneme. The protein also has a CFAP61-specific
  N-terminal domain and a C-terminal dimerisation domain. CFAP61 is expressed in all
  tissues
  with motile cilia, including respiratory epithelium, fallopian tubes, and testis,
  though
  disease phenotypes from human mutations are restricted to male infertility without
  classical
  primary ciliary dyskinesia symptoms.

alternative_products:
- name: '1'
  id: Q8NHU2-1
- name: '3'
  id: Q8NHU2-3
  sequence_note: VSP_003799, VSP_003800
- name: '4'
  id: Q8NHU2-4
  sequence_note: VSP_003798
- name: '5'
  id: Q8NHU2-5
  sequence_note: VSP_003802, VSP_003803, VSP_003804
- name: '6'
  id: Q8NHU2-6
  sequence_note: VSP_003802, VSP_013682, VSP_013683

existing_annotations:

# === IDA/IMP annotations (experimental, human/mouse) ===

- term:
    id: GO:0005930
    label: axoneme
  evidence_type: IDA
  original_reference_id: PMID:28282151
  review:
    summary: >-
      CFAP61 was identified in the axoneme by quantitative proteomic analysis of human
      airway cilia.
      This is direct experimental evidence for axonemal localization in human respiratory
      epithelial cilia.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      Direct proteomic detection in purified human airway ciliary axonemes provides
      strong evidence
      for axonemal localization. This is consistent with CFAP61's known role as a
      structural component
      of the calmodulin- and spoke-associated complex (CSC), which is an integral
      axonemal complex.
    supported_by:
    - reference_id: PMID:28282151
      supporting_text: >-
        ...Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Human Airway Cilia Identifies Previously
        Uncharacterized
        Proteins of High Abundance...

- term:
    id: GO:0005930
    label: axoneme
  evidence_type: IDA
  original_reference_id: PMID:36659204
  review:
    summary: >-
      Cfap61 was detected in the axoneme of mouse sperm by immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry,
      initially at the neck of elongating spermatids, later at the midpiece of mature
      sperm.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      Direct immunolocalization in mouse sperm flagella axoneme. Transferred to human
      by MGI
      annotation. Consistent with human proteomic data (PMID:28282151) and the structural
      role
      of CFAP61 in the CSC complex.
    supported_by:
    - reference_id: PMID:36659204
      supporting_text: >-
        ...Cfap61 is initially localized at the neck of sperm, where it potentially
        functions
        in flagellum formation, and is later localized to the midpiece of the sperm...

- term:
    id: GO:0036126
    label: sperm flagellum
  evidence_type: IDA
  original_reference_id: PMID:36659204
  review:
    summary: >-
      Cfap61 protein was detected in sperm flagella by immunofluorescence in mouse,
      and separately
      confirmed in human sperm flagella by immunofluorescence with anti-CFAP61 antibodies.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      Direct immunolocalization data in both mouse (PMID:36659204) and human (PMID:35174165)
      sperm.
      CFAP61 localizes along the full length of human sperm flagella (in contrast
      to mouse where it
      is more restricted to midpiece in mature sperm). Core localization for this
      protein.
    additional_reference_ids:
    - PMID:35174165
    supported_by:
    - reference_id: PMID:36659204
      supporting_text: >-
        ...Cfap61 is initially localized at the neck of sperm, where it potentially
        functions
        in flagellum formation, and is later localized to the midpiece of the sperm...
    - reference_id: PMID:35174165
      supporting_text: >-
        ...The specific signals of CFAP61, co-localizing with alpha-Tubulin, were
        detected on the sperm tails from a
        fertile control...

      full_text_unavailable: true
- term:
    id: GO:0120316
    label: sperm flagellum assembly
  evidence_type: IMP
  original_reference_id: PMID:35174165
  review:
    summary: >-
      Biallelic loss-of-function variants in CFAP61 (frameshift and nonsense) cause
      MMAF with
      severely disorganized axonemal ultrastructures in human sperm, including missing
      central pair,
      radial spokes, and inner dynein arms.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      Multiple independent human families with biallelic CFAP61 variants show MMAF
      phenotype.
      TEM revealed severely disorganized axonemes. Both CFAP61 and CFAP251 signals
      were absent
      from patient sperm tails. This is strong IMP evidence that CFAP61 is required
      for normal
      sperm flagellum assembly.
    supported_by:
    - reference_id: PMID:35174165
      supporting_text: >-
        ...variants, c.451_452del (p.I151Nfs*4) in family 1 and c.847C > T (p.R283*)
        in family 2
        and 3, were identified recessively co-segregating with the MMAF phenotype.
        Transmission
        electron microscopy analyses revealed severe disorganized axonemal ultrastructures...

- term:
    id: GO:0030317
    label: flagellated sperm motility
  evidence_type: IMP
  original_reference_id: PMID:34792097
  review:
    summary: >-
      Cfap61 knockout mice show severely impaired sperm motility. Human patients with
      CFAP61
      splice variant also show asthenozoospermia. The protein is required for axoneme
      stability
      during spermiogenesis, and loss leads to axoneme scattering and disrupted IFT
      protein distribution.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      Strong genetic evidence from both mouse knockout and human mutation that CFAP61
      is required
      for flagellated sperm motility. The mechanism is indirect -- CFAP61 is needed
      for radial spoke
      assembly, and without intact radial spokes the axoneme becomes unstable and
      motility is lost.
      The qualifier acts_upstream_of_or_within (in GOA) is appropriate since CFAP61's
      role is
      structural rather than directly in the motility machinery.
    supported_by:
    - reference_id: PMID:34792097
      supporting_text: >-
        ...CFAP61 is required for sperm flagellum formation and male fertility in
        human and mouse...
        the assembly of radial spoke components is impaired. As spermiogenesis progresses,
        the
        axoneme in Cfap61-/- cells becomes unstable and scatters...

- term:
    id: GO:0120316
    label: sperm flagellum assembly
  evidence_type: IMP
  original_reference_id: PMID:34792097
  review:
    summary: >-
      Cfap61 knockout mice show MMAF phenotype with impaired radial spoke assembly
      during
      early spermatid development, progressing to axoneme instability and scattering.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      Complementary to the human IMP evidence from PMID:35174165. The mouse knockout
      provides detailed mechanistic insight: CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial
      spoke
      stalk and head, and its absence impairs radial spoke assembly early in spermiogenesis.
    supported_by:
    - reference_id: PMID:34792097
      supporting_text: >-
        ...We find that CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head.
        During early
        stages of Cfap61-/- spermatid development, the assembly of radial spoke components
        is impaired...

# === IBA annotations (phylogenetic) ===

- term:
    id: GO:0036126
    label: sperm flagellum
  evidence_type: IBA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033
  review:
    summary: >-
      Phylogenetically inferred sperm flagellum localization based on PANTHER tree
      analysis.
      This is now independently confirmed by direct experimental evidence (IDA from
      PMID:36659204
      and IF data from PMID:35174165).
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      The IBA annotation is correct and consistent with the IDA evidence. The phylogenetic
      inference is sound given the highly conserved CSC function across species, and
      is
      independently confirmed by direct experimental evidence.

- term:
    id: GO:0120316
    label: sperm flagellum assembly
  evidence_type: IBA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000033
  review:
    summary: >-
      Phylogenetically inferred involvement in sperm flagellum assembly. Confirmed
      by
      direct IMP evidence from human and mouse studies.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      Correct inference, independently confirmed by direct experimental evidence (IMP
      from
      PMID:34792097 and PMID:35174165). Sperm flagellum assembly is a core function
      of CFAP61.

# === IEA annotations (electronic) ===

- term:
    id: GO:0005856
    label: cytoskeleton
  evidence_type: IEA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000044
  review:
    summary: >-
      Electronic annotation mapping from UniProt subcellular location. CFAP61 is indeed
      a
      cytoskeletal protein as a component of the axoneme.
    action: MODIFY
    reason: >-
      While technically correct, 'cytoskeleton' is too general. CFAP61 specifically
      localizes
      to the axoneme, which is already annotated with stronger evidence. The more
      specific
      term 'axoneme' (GO:0005930) is preferred and has IDA evidence.
    proposed_replacement_terms:
    - id: GO:0005930
      label: axoneme

- term:
    id: GO:0005929
    label: cilium
  evidence_type: IEA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000044
  review:
    summary: >-
      Electronic annotation from UniProt subcellular location. CFAP61 is present in
      cilia.
    action: MODIFY
    reason: >-
      CFAP61 is specifically a component of motile cilia (not primary/immotile cilia).
      The term 'motile cilium' (GO:0031514) would be more accurate and is already
      present
      as an ISS annotation.
    proposed_replacement_terms:
    - id: GO:0031514
      label: motile cilium

- term:
    id: GO:0005930
    label: axoneme
  evidence_type: IEA
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000044
  review:
    summary: >-
      Electronic annotation of axoneme localization from UniProt. Correct and supported
      by
      direct experimental evidence.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      Correct annotation, consistent with IDA evidence from PMID:28282151 and PMID:36659204.
      Axoneme localization is a core aspect of CFAP61 function as a CSC component.

# === ISS annotations (sequence similarity) ===

- term:
    id: GO:0003341
    label: cilium movement
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000024
  review:
    summary: >-
      Transferred from Tetrahymena FAP61 ortholog (UniProtKB:A8IF44). In Tetrahymena,
      loss of FAP61 reduces cell swimming and affects ciliary waveform. In Chlamydomonas,
      CSC disruption impairs flagellar motility.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      Well-supported ISS annotation. The role of CFAP61 in cilium movement is clearly
      established in multiple organisms through the CSC complex function. While direct
      evidence in human respiratory cilia is not yet available, the conserved mechanism
      of radial spoke-mediated motility regulation makes this a strong inference.
      Patients with CFAP61 mutations notably do not present PCD symptoms, suggesting
      possible redundancy in respiratory cilia, but the protein is present in airway
      cilia (PMID:28282151).
    supported_by:
    - reference_id: PMID:25694453
      supporting_text: >-
        ...loss of either FAP61 or FAP251 reduces cell swimming and affects the ciliary
        waveform and that RS3 is either missing or incomplete, whereas RS1 and RS2
        are unaffected...
    - reference_id: PMID:21613541
      supporting_text: >-
        ...analysis of both flagellar beating and microtubule sliding in vitro demonstrates
        that the CSC plays a critical role in modulating dynein activity...

- term:
    id: GO:0031514
    label: motile cilium
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000024
  review:
    summary: >-
      Transferred from Tetrahymena ortholog. CFAP61 is a component of motile cilia,
      confirmed
      by its proteomic identification in human airway cilia.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      Correct and well-supported. CFAP61 was directly identified in human airway motile
      cilia by proteomics (PMID:28282151), confirming the ISS transfer. Motile cilium
      is
      the appropriate specific CC term for this protein.
    supported_by:
    - reference_id: PMID:28282151
      supporting_text: >-
        ...Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Human Airway Cilia Identifies Previously
        Uncharacterized Proteins of High Abundance...

- term:
    id: GO:0044782
    label: cilium organization
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000024
  review:
    summary: >-
      Transferred from Chlamydomonas (Q23F13) and Tetrahymena (Q24DE2) orthologs.
      CFAP61 is
      involved in the structural organization of cilia through its role in radial
      spoke assembly.
    action: MODIFY
    reason: >-
      While CFAP61 does contribute to cilium organization, the term is very broad.
      The more specific term 'radial spoke assembly' (GO:0062177) better captures
      the
      actual function of CFAP61 within the CSC. CFAP61 is specifically required for
      RS3
      assembly and contributes to RS2 base formation.
    proposed_replacement_terms:
    - id: GO:0062177
      label: radial spoke assembly

- term:
    id: GO:0001536
    label: radial spoke stalk
  qualifier: colocalizes_with
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000024
  review:
    summary: >-
      Transferred from Tetrahymena FAP61 ortholog. The CSC localizes at the base of
      radial
      spokes and CFAP61 specifically contributes to RS3 stem structure. In Liu et
      al. 2021,
      CFAP61 was shown to interact with radial spoke stalk and head.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      The qualifier 'colocalizes_with' is appropriate for this ISS annotation. CFAP61
      as
      a CSC component is located at the base of radial spokes and interacts with stalk
      proteins. The colocalizes_with qualifier correctly indicates proximity/association
      rather than being part_of the radial spoke stalk per se.
    supported_by:
    - reference_id: PMID:25694453
      supporting_text: >-
        ...FAP61-null cilia lack an adjacent portion of the RS3 stem region...
    - reference_id: PMID:34792097
      supporting_text: >-
        ...CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head...

- term:
    id: GO:0005930
    label: axoneme
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: GO_REF:0000024
  review:
    summary: >-
      Transferred from Tetrahymena ortholog. Axonemal localization is confirmed by
      multiple lines of evidence in human and mouse.
    action: ACCEPT
    reason: >-
      Correct annotation, consistent with IDA evidence from PMID:28282151 and PMID:36659204.
      Axoneme localization is a core aspect of CFAP61 function.

# === NEW proposed annotations ===

- term:
    id: GO:0005200
    label: structural constituent of cytoskeleton
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: PMID:25694453
  review:
    summary: >-
      CFAP61 functions as a structural scaffold within the axonemal CSC complex. It
      has no
      known enzymatic activity despite containing a Rossmann-like fold domain. Its
      loss
      specifically disrupts the structural integrity of radial spoke 3 in Tetrahymena
      and
      the entire axoneme in mammalian sperm. This is a molecular function annotation
      that
      is currently missing from GOA.
    action: NEW
    reason: >-
      CFAP61 has no molecular function annotation in GOA. Its role as a structural
      scaffold
      in the axoneme CSC is well established. The protein contains a Rossmann-like
      FAD/NAD(P)-binding fold that functions as a scaffolding domain rather than an
      enzyme.
      GO:0005200 (structural constituent of cytoskeleton) is the most appropriate
      MF term
      for a non-enzymatic structural component of the axoneme.
    supported_by:
    - reference_id: PMID:25694453
      supporting_text: >-
        ...FAP61-null cilia lack an adjacent portion of the RS3 stem region...
    - reference_id: PMID:34792097
      supporting_text: >-
        ...CFAP61 is a conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated
        complex (CSC) of cilia... CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk
        and head...

- term:
    id: GO:0062177
    label: radial spoke assembly
  evidence_type: ISS
  original_reference_id: PMID:25694453
  review:
    summary: >-
      CFAP61 is required for radial spoke 3 assembly in Tetrahymena and for radial
      spoke
      component assembly during spermiogenesis in mouse. This process annotation is
      not
      currently in GOA but is a core function of the protein.
    action: NEW
    reason: >-
      Radial spoke assembly is the primary biological process function of CFAP61 within
      the CSC. In Tetrahymena, FAP61 loss specifically ablates RS3 stem structure.
      In
      mouse spermatids, CFAP61 loss impairs radial spoke component assembly during
      early
      spermiogenesis. This is more specific and informative than the existing 'cilium
      organization' annotation.
    supported_by:
    - reference_id: PMID:25694453
      supporting_text: >-
        ...loss of either FAP61 or FAP251 reduces cell swimming and affects the ciliary
        waveform and that RS3 is either missing or incomplete, whereas RS1 and RS2
        are unaffected...
    - reference_id: PMID:34792097
      supporting_text: >-
        ...During early stages of Cfap61-/- spermatid development, the assembly of
        radial
        spoke components is impaired...

core_functions:
- description: >-
    CFAP61 functions as a structural scaffold within the calmodulin- and spoke-associated
    complex (CSC), providing the structural basis for radial spoke 3 (RS3) assembly
    and
    contributing to RS2 base stability. Through the CSC, CFAP61 mediates the connection
    between radial spokes and the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), enabling
    mechanochemical signal transduction that coordinates dynein motor activity and
    ciliary
    beating. The protein contains a Rossmann-like FAD/NAD(P)-binding fold that serves
    as a structural scaffold rather than an enzyme active site, an N-terminal
    axoneme-targeting domain, and a C-terminal dimerisation domain.
  molecular_function:
    id: GO:0005200
    label: structural constituent of cytoskeleton
  directly_involved_in:
  - id: GO:0062177
    label: radial spoke assembly
  - id: GO:0120316
    label: sperm flagellum assembly
  locations:
  - id: GO:0005930
    label: axoneme
  - id: GO:0036126
    label: sperm flagellum
  - id: GO:0031514
    label: motile cilium
  supported_by:
  - reference_id: PMID:25694453
    supporting_text: >-
      ...FAP61-null cilia lack an adjacent portion of the RS3 stem region...
      loss of either FAP61 or FAP251 reduces cell swimming and affects the
      ciliary waveform and that RS3 is either missing or incomplete...
  - reference_id: PMID:34792097
    supporting_text: >-
      ...CFAP61 is a conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial
      spoke-associated complex (CSC) of cilia... CFAP61 interacts with the CSC,
      radial spoke stalk and head...
  - reference_id: PMID:22740634
    supporting_text: >-
      ...the CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein
      regulation: RS2, the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), and RS3S...

- description: >-
    In sperm, CFAP61 is essential for flagellum morphogenesis and motility.
    Loss of CFAP61 function causes multiple morphological abnormalities of the
    flagella (MMAF) and male infertility (SPGF84). CFAP61 interacts with
    intraflagellar transport proteins (IFT22, IFT81, WDR35) and its loss
    disrupts IFT protein distribution during spermiogenesis.
  molecular_function:
    id: GO:0005200
    label: structural constituent of cytoskeleton
  directly_involved_in:
  - id: GO:0120316
    label: sperm flagellum assembly
  - id: GO:0030317
    label: flagellated sperm motility
  locations:
  - id: GO:0036126
    label: sperm flagellum
  - id: GO:0005930
    label: axoneme
  supported_by:
  - reference_id: PMID:34792097
    supporting_text: >-
      ...CFAP61 is required for sperm flagellum formation and male fertility
      in human and mouse... the assembly of radial spoke components is impaired.
      As spermiogenesis progresses, the axoneme in Cfap61-/- cells becomes unstable
      and scatters, and the distribution of intraflagellar transport proteins is disrupted...
  - reference_id: PMID:35174165
    supporting_text: >-
      ...CFAP61 and CFAP251 signals were absent from sperm tails of the patients,
      which suggested the loss of functional CSC in sperm flagella...

proposed_new_terms:
- proposed_name: calmodulin- and spoke-associated complex
  proposed_definition: >-
    A protein complex associated with the radial spokes of motile cilia and flagella,
    composed of CFAP61, CFAP91/MAATS1, and CFAP251/WDR66 (mammalian nomenclature;
    FAP61/CaM-IP3, FAP91/CaM-IP2, FAP251/CaM-IP4 in Chlamydomonas). The CSC connects
    radial spoke 2 (RS2), radial spoke 3 (RS3), and the nexin-dynein regulatory complex
    (N-DRC), mediating mechanochemical signal transduction for coordinated ciliary
    beating.
  justification: >-
    The CSC is a well-characterized multi-protein complex with a defined composition
    and
    function in motile cilia across eukaryotes. It has been the subject of numerous
    studies since its identification in Chlamydomonas (PMID:21613541). No GO CC term
    currently exists for this complex. Having a term would allow annotation of CFAP61,
    CFAP91, and CFAP251 as part_of the CSC.
  proposed_parent:
    id: GO:0030286
    label: dynein complex
  supported_by:
  - reference_id: PMID:21613541
    supporting_text: >-
      ...We previously identified a CaM and Spoke associated Complex (CSC) and
      provided evidence that this complex mediates regulatory signals between
      the radial spokes and dynein arms...
  - reference_id: PMID:22740634
    supporting_text: >-
      ...the CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein
      regulation: RS2, the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), and RS3S...

suggested_questions:
- question: >-
    Why do human patients with biallelic CFAP61 loss-of-function mutations not present
    with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) symptoms affecting respiratory cilia, despite
    CFAP61 being present in airway cilia? Is there functional redundancy in respiratory
    cilia that compensates for CFAP61 loss?
- question: >-
    What is the functional significance of the Rossmann-like FAD/NAD(P)-binding fold
    in
    CFAP61? Does it bind any cofactor or ligand, or is it purely a structural scaffold?
    Has anyone tested for oxidoreductase or other enzymatic activity?
- question: >-
    How does CFAP61 interact with intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins WDR35, IFT22,
    and IFT81? Is CFAP61 itself an IFT cargo, or does it play a role in organizing
    IFT
    within the axoneme?

suggested_experiments:
- hypothesis: >-
    The Rossmann-like domain of CFAP61 has no catalytic activity and functions purely
    as a protein-protein interaction scaffold.
  description: >-
    Express and purify the isolated Rossmann-like domain (residues 665-998) of CFAP61
    and test for FAD/NAD(P) binding by isothermal titration calorimetry or thermal
    shift
    assay. Test for oxidoreductase activity using standard spectrophotometric assays.
    If no cofactor binding or activity is detected, use the domain for pull-down
    experiments to identify its binding partners within the CSC/radial spoke machinery.
  experiment_type: biochemical assay

- hypothesis: >-
    CFAP61 function in respiratory cilia is compensated by redundant mechanisms, explaining
    the absence of PCD in patients with CFAP61 mutations.
  description: >-
    Generate conditional Cfap61 knockout in mouse airway epithelial cells. Analyze
    ciliary beating frequency and waveform by high-speed video microscopy. Perform
    cryo-ET of respiratory cilia to determine whether RS3 is affected. Compare with
    Cfap91 and Cfap251 knockouts to test whether CSC component redundancy differs
    between tissues.
  experiment_type: mouse genetics / ciliary physiology

references:
- id: GO_REF:0000024
  title: Manual transfer of experimentally-verified manual GO annotation data to
    orthologs by curator judgment of sequence similarity
  findings: []
- id: GO_REF:0000033
  title: Annotation inferences using phylogenetic trees
  findings: []
- id: GO_REF:0000044
  title: Gene Ontology annotation based on UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot Subcellular 
    Location vocabulary mapping, accompanied by conservative changes to GO terms
    applied by UniProt
  findings: []
- id: PMID:28282151
  title: Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Human Airway Cilia Identifies 
    Previously Uncharacterized Proteins of High Abundance.
  findings:
  - statement: CFAP61 was identified in human airway ciliary axonemes by 
      quantitative LC/MS proteomics.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Human Airway Cilia Identifies Previously
      Uncharacterized Proteins of High Abundance...
- id: PMID:34792097
  title: CFAP61 is required for sperm flagellum formation and male fertility in 
    human and mouse.
  findings:
  - statement: >-
      CFAP61 is a conserved CSC component. A splice variant causes MMAF in human.
      Cfap61 knockout mice are infertile with impaired radial spoke assembly during
      spermiogenesis and subsequent axoneme instability.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...CFAP61 is a conserved component of the calmodulin- and radial spoke-associated
      complex (CSC) of cilia... the assembly of radial spoke components is impaired.
      As
      spermiogenesis progresses, the axoneme in Cfap61-/- cells becomes unstable and
      scatters,
      and the distribution of intraflagellar transport proteins is disrupted...
  - statement: >-
      CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk, and head proteins including
      CFAP91, RSPH3A, ROPN1, ROPN1L, RSPH9, DYNLT1, DYNC1I2, TUBB3, and IFT proteins.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...CFAP61 interacts with the CSC, radial spoke stalk and head...
  - statement: >-
      This study reveals an organ-specific mechanism of axoneme stabilization. Cfap61
      knockout mice show infertility but not other PCD symptoms.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...We generated Cfap61 knockout mice that recapitulate the infertility phenotype
      of
      the human CFAP61 mutation, but without other symptoms usually observed in PCD...
- id: PMID:35174165
  title: Biallelic Variants in CFAP61 Cause Multiple Morphological Abnormalities
    of the Flagella and Male Infertility.
  findings:
  - statement: >-
      Biallelic CFAP61 variants (frameshift p.I151Nfs*4 and nonsense p.R283*) cause
      MMAF
      with severely disorganized axonemes in three Pakistani families with 11 infertile
      males.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...variants, c.451_452del (p.I151Nfs*4) in family 1 and c.847C > T (p.R283*)
      in family 2
      and 3, were identified recessively co-segregating with the MMAF phenotype. Transmission
      electron microscopy analyses revealed severe disorganized axonemal ultrastructures,
      and
      missings of central pair, RSs, and inner dynein arms were also observed...
  - statement: >-
      Both CFAP61 and CFAP251 proteins are absent from patient sperm tails, indicating
      loss of the entire CSC complex.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...CFAP61 and CFAP251 signals were absent from sperm tails of the patients,
      which
      suggested the loss of functional CSC in sperm flagella...
- id: PMID:36659204
  title: Absence of murine CFAP61 causes male infertility due to multiple 
    morphological abnormalities of the flagella.
  findings:
  - statement: >-
      Cfap61 knockout mice show MMAF with short, coiled, and irregular flagella. Cfap61
      localizes first to the neck, then to the midpiece of mature sperm.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...Cfap61 is initially localized at the neck of sperm, where it potentially
      functions
      in flagellum formation, and is later localized to the midpiece of the sperm...
- id: PMID:35387802
  title: Biallelic CFAP61 variants cause male infertility in humans and mice 
    with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
  findings:
  - statement: >-
      Additional CFAP61 pathogenic variants (R552C, D971N, splice site, G556R) identified
      in OAT patients with MMAF, absence of central pair, and mitochondrial sheath
      malformation.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that CFAP61 is essential for spermatogenesis
      and that biallelic
      CFAP61 variants lead to male infertility in humans and mice with OAT...
- id: PMID:25694453
  title: The CSC proteins FAP61 and FAP251 build the basal substructures of 
    radial spoke 3 in cilia.
  findings:
  - statement: >-
      In Tetrahymena, FAP61 is required for RS3 stem assembly. FAP61-null cilia have
      missing or incomplete RS3 while RS1 and RS2 are unaffected. Loss reduces cell
      swimming and alters ciliary waveform.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...loss of either FAP61 or FAP251 reduces cell swimming and affects the ciliary
      waveform and that RS3 is either missing or incomplete, whereas RS1 and RS2 are
      unaffected. Specifically, FAP251-null cilia lack an arch-like density at the
      RS3
      base, whereas FAP61-null cilia lack an adjacent portion of the RS3 stem region...
- id: PMID:22740634
  title: The CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein 
    regulation.
  findings:
  - statement: >-
      The CSC connects RS2, the N-DRC, and RS3 stand-in (RS3S) in Chlamydomonas,
      providing a structural link for signal transduction from radial spokes to dynein
      motors.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...the CSC connects three major axonemal complexes involved in dynein regulation:
      RS2, the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), and RS3S...
- id: PMID:21613541
  title: The CSC is required for complete radial spoke assembly and wild-type 
    ciliary motility.
  findings:
  - statement: >-
      The CSC was first characterized as a calmodulin- and spoke-associated complex
      in
      Chlamydomonas. It is required for RS2 assembly and modulates dynein activity.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...We previously identified a CaM and Spoke associated Complex (CSC) and provided
      evidence that this complex mediates regulatory signals between the radial spokes
      and dynein arms... the CSC is required for spoke assembly and wild-type motility...
- id: PMID:36552811
  title: Cfap91-Dependent Stability of the RS2 and RS3 Base Proteins and 
    Adjacent Inner Dynein Arms in Tetrahymena Cilia.
  findings:
  - statement: >-
      Cfap91 is required for stable docking of RS3 and RS2 base proteins. Loss of
      Cfap91
      causes significant reduction of Cfap61 and Cfap251 levels at the axoneme.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...The localization studies confirmed that the level of RS3-specific proteins,
      Cfap61
      and Cfap251, as well as RS2-associated Cfap206, are significantly diminished
      in
      Tetrahymena CFAP91-KO cells...
- id: PMID:37982895
  title: CFAP61 knockdown aggravates male infertility by inhibiting testosterone
    secretion by Leydig cells via the MAPK/COX-2 pathway.
  findings:
  - statement: >-
      In vitro knockdown of CFAP61 in Leydig cells reduced testosterone secretion
      via
      MAPK/COX-2 pathway activation. Physiological relevance is uncertain.
    supporting_text: >-
      ...CFAP61 knockdown reduced the Leydig cell viability and testosterone secretion
      and enhanced apoptosis...
- id: file:human/CFAP61/CFAP61-notes.md
  title: CFAP61 review notes
  findings:
  - statement: >-
      CFAP61 contains a Rossmann-like FAD/NAD(P)-binding superfamily fold (residues
      665-998)
      that functions as a structural scaffold, not an enzyme. The BioReason-Pro paper
      highlights this as an example of a domain that could mislead automated annotation
      pipelines into predicting enzymatic function.