Intraflagellar transport 27 (IFT27) is a key regulator for spermiogenesis and male fertility in mice. ATP8a1, a protein involved in the translocation of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine across lipid bilayers, is the strongest binding partner of IFT27. To investigate the role of ATP8a1 in spermatogenesis and male fertility, the global Atp8a1 knockout mice were analyzed. All mutant mice were fertile, and sperm count and motility were comparable to the control mice. Examination of testis and epididymis by hematoxylin and eosin staining did not reveal major histologic defects. These observations demonstrate that ATP8a1 is not a major spermatogenesis regulator. Given that a tissue-specific paralogue of ATP8a1, ATP8a2, is present, further studies with double-knockout models are warranted to delineate any compensatory functions of the two proteins.

中文翻译：

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ATP8a1 是一种 IFT27 结合伴侣，对于精子发生和男性生育能力是可有可无的

鞭毛内运输 27 (IFT27) 是小鼠精子发生和雄性生育能力的关键调节因子。ATP8a1 是一种参与磷脂酰丝氨酸和磷脂酰乙醇胺跨脂质双层转运的蛋白质，是 IFT27 最强的结合伙伴。为了研究 ATP8a1 在精子发生和男性生育能力中的作用，全球Atp8a1分析了敲除小鼠。所有突变小鼠均可生育，精子数量和活力与对照小鼠相当。通过苏木精和伊红染色检查睾丸和附睾没有发现主要的组织学缺陷。这些观察结果表明 ATP8a1 不是主要的精子发生调节剂。鉴于存在 ATP8a1 的组织特异性旁系同源物 ATP8a2，有必要对双敲除模型进行进一步研究，以描述这两种蛋白质的任何补偿功能。