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Target intelligence / Profile preview
Spermatogenesis-associated protein 20 (SPATA20)
- Target
- SPATA20
- Molecular classification
- Other (non-canonical, sperm-associated protein), Localized in mitochondrion
01
Overview
Spermatogenesis-associated protein 20 (SPATA20) is a mitochondrial protein predominantly expressed in the testis, where it is essential for male germ cell development. SPATA20 plays a critical role in sperm morphogenesis, notably in the assembly and stabilization of the sperm head-tail connection. Loss-of-function mutations in SPATA20 lead to acephalic spermatozoa, a severe form of male infertility marked by separation of the sperm head and flagellum. This phenotype cannot be rescued by intracytoplasmic sperm injection, indicating SPATA20’s necessity for structural integrity during spermatogenesis. SPATA20 is also predicted to participate in carbohydrate metabolism and cell differentiation, but its function outside of reproductive biology remains poorly defined. While SSP411 (the SPATA20 protein) has been considered as a biomarker in bile for cholangiocarcinoma, current evidence does not support a direct role in cancer biology or other major disease categories
- Other names
- SSP411TISP78HEL-S-98Sperm-specific protein 411Sperm protein SSP411Epididymis secretory protein Li 98Transcript increased in spermiogenesis 78FLJ21347
02
Mechanism of action
Not applicable; no drugs are known to target SPATA20
03
Biological functions
Spermatogenesis (involved in sperm morphogenesis, particularly formation of the sperm head–tail conjunction)Cell differentiationCarbohydrate metabolic process (predicted)May play a role in fertility regulation
04
Disease associations
Male infertility (specifically acephalic spermatozoa syndrome, where dysfunctional SPATA20 results in separation of the sperm head and tail, causing sterility refractory to assisted reproduction)Possible role described in diseases like childhood malignant schwannoma and common bile duct disease, but not directly implicated in tumorigenesis
05
Safety considerations
None reported specific to SPATA20 as a therapeutic target, as it is not being pursued for therapy
06
Interacting drugs
None known. No approved or clinical-stage drugs are documented to interact directly with SPATA20
07
Biomarkers
SSP411 (the SPATA20 gene product) was identified as a candidate biomarker in human bile for cholangiocarcinoma, but its routine use as a biomarker is not establishedCould act as a genetic biomarker for acephalic spermatozoa syndrome in reproductive medicine
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