Lysozyme-like protein 4 (LYZL4)

Lysozyme-like protein 4 (LYZL4) is a member of the c-type lysozyme family, sharing the characteristic structural features such as a signal peptide and conserved cysteine residues necessary for proper folding and stability[3]. Unlike classical lysozymes, LYZL4 does not retain critical active site residues for muramidase (enzymatic) activity, suggesting it is enzymatically inactive against bacterial peptidoglycans[3]. LYZL4 is specifically expressed in the testicular germinal epithelium and localizes to the tail of maturing spermatozoa. This localization pattern indicates a specialized role in sperm function, possibly in motility or maturation, but not in antibacterial host defense or conventional enzyme activity[3]. It is not broadly considered a therapeutic target or a disease-associated protein at present.

Other names

LYZL4Lysozyme like 4Lysozyme-like protein 4