The mammalian flagellum is a specific type of motile cilium required for sperm motility and male fertility. Effective flagellar movement is dependent on axonemal function, which in turn relies on proper ion homeostasis within the flagellar compartment. This ion homeostasis is maintained by the concerted function of ion channels and transporters that initiate signal transduction pathways resulting in motility changes. Advances in electrophysiology and super-resolution microscopy have helped to identify and characterize new regulatory modalities of the mammalian flagellum. Here, we discuss what is currently known about the regulation of flagellar ion channels and transporters that maintain sodium, potassium, calcium, and proton homeostasis. Identification of new regulatory elements and their specific roles in sperm motility is imperative for improving diagnostics of male infertility.

中文翻译：

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解剖涉及鞭毛功能的信号传导途径。

哺乳动物的鞭毛是精子运动性和雄性育性所需的一种特殊类型的运动纤毛。有效的鞭毛运动取决于轴突功能，而轴突功能又取决于鞭毛室内的适当离子稳态。离子通道和转运蛋白的协调功能可维持这种离子稳态，所述离子通道和转运蛋白启动信号转导途径，导致运动性改变。电生理学和超分辨率显微镜技术的进步已帮助鉴定和表征哺乳动物鞭毛的新调节方式。在这里，我们讨论关于维持钠，钾，钙和质子稳态的鞭毛离子通道和转运蛋白调控的最新知识。