Fig. 7

Localization of PRAMEL1 in the flagellum. The initiation of the sperm neck and flagellum (Fla) is seen in the posterior region of the nucleus associated with the proximal and distal centrioles (Cen) in step 7 spermatid (A). The inset image enlarges the boxed region (A). Heavy PRAMEL1 labeling was observed in clusters in the nucleus (N), manchette (Man), and flagellum (Fla) (A). Immunogold particles were detected in the implantation socket (IS) and plate (IP) of the connecting piece (CP) and the annulus (Ann) during the early development of connecting piece (CP) and midpiece (MP) in steps 8–10 spermatids (B, C). Large clusters of gold particles were seen in the mitochondrial (M) sheath (D, F) of MP, and the axoneme (Axo) of the principal piece (PP) of elongated spermatids (E). Cross sections of the sperm tail further indicated the localization of PRAMEL1 in flagella (G). No specific-labeling was observed in the MP of the sperm tail in the negative control (H). Unlabeled bar = 0.5 µm