ODF2: Proteins and Enzymes

Cenexin-1, also known as ODF2 and outer dense fiber of sperm tails 2, are cytoskeletal structures that surround the axoneme in the middle piece and principal piece of the sperm tail. The fibers function in maintaining the elastic structure and recoil of the sperm tail as well as in protecting the tail from shear forces during epididymal transport and ejaculation. Defects in the outer dense fibers lead to abnormal sperm morphology and infertility. Cenexin-1 is one of the major outer dense fiber proteins. Multiple protein isoforms are encoded by transcript variants of the cenexin gene; however, not all isoforms and variants have been fully described.