The role of E3 ligases in the ubiquitin-dependent regulation of spermatogenesis.

•This review evaluates the E3 ligase ubiquitination of target proteins in the testis.•An overview of the hierarchal process by which ubiquitin is transferred to its target protein and the key role of the E3 ligase for conferring substrate specificity is provided.•The role that protein ubiquitination plays in protein degradation as well the various cellular functions such as protein trafficking, cell signaling, DNA repair, chromatin modifications, cell-cycle progression and cell death is discussed.•Specific examples of E3 ligases in the testis and the differing roles that they play in maintaining functional spermatogenesis are highlighted.