Spermatogenesis- and oogenesis-specific basic helix-loop-helix-containing protein 2 (SOHLH2)

CCDC169-SOHLH2 refers to a **readthrough transcript** that joins two neighboring genes on chromosome 13—C13orf38 (also known as CCDC169) and SOHLH2—resulting in a chimeric transcript and protein[4][8]. The canonical form of this coding product is best captured as the *Spermatogenesis- and oogenesis-specific basic helix-loop-helix-containing protein 2* (SOHLH2), a **testis-specific transcription factor** essential for spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and folliculogenesis[9][5]. The protein contains a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain typical of DNA-binding transcription factors and is predominantly expressed in the testis, with weaker expression in other tissues such as bone marrow, brain, and vascular tissue[1][5]. The biological function of the specific readthrough product (CCDC169-SOHLH2) remains unclear, with little evidence demonstrating that it serves as a therapeutic target or receptor, and there are no known clinical drugs or biomarkers targeting this molecule[1][3][4]. The gene is of interest for its highly tissue-specific expression and possible role as a tissue marker in certain cancers, but further functional or clinical information on the readthrough form is lacking[1][3][9].

Other names

CCDC169-SOHLH2C13orf38-SOHLH2TEB1CCDC169C13orf38Spermatogenesis- and oogenesis-specific basic helix-loop-helix-containing protein 2