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.
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:
| 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
|
|
GO:0005929
cilium
|
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...
|
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?
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
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.
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].
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].
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].
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].
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].
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].
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].
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].
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].
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].
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.
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.
Spermatogenic failure 84 (SPGF84; MIM 620409): autosomal recessive male infertility with MMAF phenotype. Multiple pathogenic variants reported across different populations.
According to HPA: tissue-enhanced expression in fallopian tube, heart muscle, skeletal muscle, testis. Consistent with presence in all motile cilia, not just sperm.
PDB 8J07: cryo-EM structure at 4.10 A resolution. This shows the entire CFAP61 protein in context of the axonemal repeat.
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.