Epsilon tubulin is an essential determinant of microtubule-based structures in male germ cells

Alpha, beta, and gamma tubulins are essential building blocks for all eukaryotic cells. The functions of the non-canonical tubulins, delta, epsilon, and zeta, however, remain poorly understood and their requirement in mammalian development untested. Herein we have used a spermatogenesis model to define epsilon tubulin (TUBE1) function in mice. We show that TUBE1 is essential for the function of multiple complex microtubule arrays, including the meiotic spindle, axoneme and manchette and in its absence, there is a dramatic loss of germ cells and male sterility. Moreover, we provide evidence for the interplay between TUBE1 and katanin-mediated microtubule severing, and for the sub-specialization of individual katanin paralogs in the regulation of specific microtubule arrays. Synopsis Epsilon tubulin functions within several microtubule-dependent processes during spermatogenesis such as meiotic division, sperm tail axoneme stability, and manchette-mediated sperm head shaping. The pre-meiotic conditional knockout of the non-canonical tubulin Epsilon tubulin ( Tube1 ) in male germ cells affects male germ cell development and causes infertility in mice. Loss of TUBE1 affects MT structures during meiosis and spermatid differentiation and maturation. TUBE1 is needed for katanin-mediated microtubule regulation during spermatid nuclear shaping. Epsilon tubulin functions within several microtubule-dependent processes during spermatogenesis such as meiotic division, sperm tail axoneme stability, and manchette-mediated sperm head shaping.