Human spermatogenesis leads to a reduced nuclear pore structure and function

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are nuclear gateways which regulate the transit of molecules larger than 40kDa through a Ran-dependent transport ¹ . The somatic human NPC scaffold consists of three stacked rings: the cytoplasmic (CR), the nucleoplasmic (NR), and the inner ring (IR), which define a central channel approximately 55nm wide ² .

Although many studies have investigated human NPC architecture ³ , it remains largely unknown how the NPC accommodates the different functions of non-somatic cells.

Here, we reveal the in-cell architecture of the human sperm NPC. We show that it exhibits a central channel less than 40nm-wide, outlined exclusively by the IR. This structural alteration is accompanied by a six-fold reduction in nuclear diffusion rate and mis-localization of Ran-dependent transport components. Additionally, we identify a network of septin filaments interconnecting NPCs within the inter-membrane space of the nuclear envelope (NE), suggesting a potential mechanical role in channel constriction. Furthermore, our human tissue imaging data indicate meiosis as a pivotal differentiation stage driving architectural changes to the NPC.

Given the critical role of the IR for successful spermatogenesis ^4,5 , our work offers important insight into this fundamental biological process. Our study also demonstrates the power of an integrative approach by combining electron-cryo- tomography, super-resolution-light-microscopy and biochemical analysis, to elucidate macromolecular structure-function relations in human physiological contexts.