SPEM family member 2 (SPEM2)

SPEM family member 2 (SPEM2) is a testis-enriched, 57 kDa protein encoded by the SPEM2 (C17orf74) gene on human chromosome 17p13.1[1][2][3]. SPEM2 is highly conserved across mammals and is predominantly expressed in post-meiotic male germ cells, where it is essential for spermiogenesis and normal sperm maturation[1]. Mouse knockout models lacking Spem2 display male infertility due to multiple spermiogenic defects, including abnormal acrosome formation, excessive cytoplasm retention, reduced sperm motility, and failed sperm-oocyte fusion[1]. SPEM2 localizes to the Golgi apparatus and interacts with proteins critical for acrosome development and sperm function (ZPBP, PRSS21, PRSS54, PRSS55, ADAM2, ADAM3), acting as a scaffold for their processing and maturation[1]. There is no evidence that SPEM2 is a classical therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, transporter, or transcription factor. Its clinical relevance may primarily be in male infertility research[1][2][3].

Other names

C17orf74Chromosome 17 open reading frame 74Uncharacterized protein SPEM2SPEM2

Not a therapeutic target; no drugs act directly on SPEM2