DC-STAMP domain-containing protein 2 (DCST2)

DC-STAMP domain-containing protein 2 (DCST2) is a multi-pass transmembrane protein highly expressed on the sperm cell surface and is essential for mediating the fusion of sperm and egg plasma membranes during fertilization. This function is conserved in vertebrates and is critical for male fertility: loss or disruption of DCST2 (e.g., gene knockout) in mice or fish results in failure of sperm–egg fusion, leading to sterility or subfertility while acrosome reaction and localization of fusion-related factors such as IZUMO1 remain intact. DCST2 is thought to form complexes with its paralog DCST1 and help organize other gamete fusion proteins on the sperm membrane. Besides its reproductive role, genetic variants at the DCST2 locus have been associated with early life skeletal growth traits, such as birth length and adult height. Known orthologs include C. elegans SPE-42 and Drosophila SNEAKY, underlining DCST2's evolutionary importance in gamete fusion. No drugs are known to interact with DCST2, and it is not currently considered a therapeutic target in clinical medicine.

Other names

DC-STAMP domain containing 2DCST2FLJ32934SPE42

Not targeted by drugs (mechanisms relate to native biological role: mediating fusion of sperm plasma membrane with oocyte plasma membrane)