Mitochondrial DNA removal is essential for sperm development and activity.

ABSTRACT: Active mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) elimination during spermatogenesis has emerged as a conserved mechanism ensuring the uniparental mitochondrial inheritance in animals. However, given the existence of post-fertilization processes degrading sperm mitochondria, the physiological significance of mtDNA removal during spermatogenesis is not clear. Here we show that mtDNA clearance is indispensable for sperm development and activity. We uncover a previously unappreciated role of Poldip2 as a mitochondrial exonuclease that is specifically expressed in late spermatogenesis and required for sperm mtDNA elimination in Drosophila. Loss of Poldip2 impairs mtDNA clearance in elongated spermatids and impedes the progression of individualization complexes that strip away cytoplasmic materials and organell

SUBMITTER: Chen Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11914152 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature