Astacin-like metalloendopeptidase (ASTL)

Astacin-like metalloendopeptidase (ASTL) is a zinc-dependent extracellular protease of the astacin family (MEROPS family M12A) encoded by the ASTL gene in humans[4][3]. ASTL is highly expressed in oocytes and plays a critical role in fertilization by cleaving the zona pellucida protein ZP2 after fertilization and cortical granule exocytosis. This cleavage renders the zona pellucida unable to bind additional sperm, thus preventing polyspermy and ensuring proper embryonic development[3]. ASTL is structurally characterized by a conserved catalytic domain with a HEXXHXXGXXH zinc-binding motif and is related to other astacin family members such as bone morphogenetic protein 1 and meprins[1][2]. In human disease, loss-of-function mutations in ASTL are associated with oocyte/zygote/embryo maturation arrest. Aberrant expression of ASTL (as SAS1B) is being investigated as an immunotherapeutic target and biomarker for certain cancers due to its limited normal tissue expression[3].

Other names

SAS1Bovastacinoocyte astacinZP2-proteinaseOOMD11astacin-like metallo-endopeptidase (M12 family)sperm acrosomal SLLP1 binding