Dickkopf-like acrosomal protein 1 (DKKL1)

Dickkopf-like acrosomal protein 1 (DKKL1) is a secreted glycoprotein related to the Dickkopf gene family, distinguished by conserved cysteine-rich domains. DKKL1 is highly expressed in testicular tissue, especially during spermatogenesis, where it localizes to the developing acrosome of spermatocytes and mature sperm. The protein undergoes N-linked glycosylation in the testis, with further post-translational modifications observed in mature sperm. DKKL1 is thought to facilitate the penetration of the zona pellucida by sperm during fertilization and may play a role in acrosome assembly or function. It also has putative roles in regulating spermatocyte apoptosis and testosterone synthesis. DKKL1 gene expression occurs in preimplantation embryos and developing neural tissue but is predominantly restricted to the testes in adults. Disease associations include its role as a cancer/testis antigen and rare associations with certain cancers, though its primary relevance remains in reproductive biology and male fertility. There are no drugs, biomarkers, or safety flags linked to DKKL1, and it is not used as a clinical therapeutic target.

Other names

Dickkopf-like protein 1DKKL1SGY1UNQ735/PRO1429CT34SGY-1Cancer/testis antigen 34Protein soggy-1soggytesticular secretory protein Li 15