Izumo sperm-egg fusion protein 3 (IZUMO3)

Izumo sperm-egg fusion protein 3 (IZUMO3) is a member of the Izumo protein family, which includes testis-specific transmembrane proteins involved in mammalian sperm function[1]. Like IZUMO1, which is essential for sperm-egg membrane fusion, IZUMO3 contains a conserved N-terminal "Izumo domain" implicated in protein-protein interactions (notably dimer formation), and is predicted to be N-glycosylated[1]. IZUMO3 is specifically expressed in the testis and is present on sperm, forming single larger complexes (likely dimers) via its Izumo domain, although its exact biological role remains incompletely defined[1]. There is no current evidence that IZUMO3 is targeted by any therapeutics or used as a clinical biomarker; its main expected function is in sperm-egg recognition or early stages of adhesion during fertilization, distinct from but related to the critical role of IZUMO1[1]. No known disease associations or drug interactions have been documented for IZUMO3.

Other names

C9orf134bA20A20.1Izumo family member 3izumo sperm-egg fusion protein 3

Not established; no drugs are reported to target this molecule