Drug pipeline
Full profile accessExplore the programs pursuing this target and their development progress.
- Drug candidates
- Developers
- Development stage
Target intelligence / Profile preview
Testis expressed 101 protein (TEX101)
- Target
- TEX101
- Molecular classification
- GPI-anchored membrane protein, Ly-6/uPAR domain-containing protein, Glycoprotein
01
Overview
TEX101 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein found on the surface of testicular germ cells during spermatogenesis. It is primarily localized to the plasma membrane during various spermatogenic stages and is enzymatically released into seminal plasma as sperm mature. In mice, absence of TEX101 results in the production of morphologically normal but functionally infertile sperm due to impaired ADAM3 presentation, critical for sperm-egg membrane fusion. TEX101 is strictly testis-specific, regulated by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, and is emerging as a key diagnostic biomarker for male infertility, with potential interest as a target for novel non-hormonal male contraceptives
- Other names
- TEX101testis-expressed gene 101 proteintestis-expressed sequence 101
02
Mechanism of action
For contraceptive strategies, inhibition or removal of TEX101 from sperm surface impairs sperm fertilizing ability by affecting interaction with ADAM3, which is essential for sperm-egg fusion
03
Biological functions
Sperm maturationSperm-egg interaction/fertilizationRegulation of other testicular proteins such as ADAM3Potential cell signaling in reproductive tissues
04
Disease associations
Male infertility (deficiency leads to non-fertile sperm; used as an infertility biomarker)Possible role in reproductive tract cancers (speculative, primarily based on Ly-6/uPAR family associations)
05
Safety considerations
As a biomarker, TEX101 is safe; however, therapeutic targeting for contraception could lead to unintended infertility or off-target effects on other uPAR domain proteins
06
Interacting drugs
None currently known; research suggests that targeting TEX101 or its regulatory pathway may provide male contraceptive options
07
Biomarkers
TEX101 levels in seminal plasma/testes are a promising biomarker for diagnosing male infertility, specifically the presence of mature, fertilization-competent sperm
Beyond the preview
Go deeper on Testis expressed 101 protein (TEX101).
Explore the evidence, development activity, and competitive landscape with Gosset’s full data platform.
Clinical trials
Full profile accessFollow the clinical studies evaluating therapies directed at this target.
- Trial design
- Status
- Readouts
Competitive landscape
Full profile accessCompare approaches across drug candidates, modalities, and indications.
- Programs
- Modalities
- Indications
Literature & evidence
Full profile accessInvestigate the research and source evidence behind target biology and development.
- Publications
- Sources
- Analysis
Patents
Full profile accessExplore patent activity around therapies and technologies addressing this target.
- Patents
- Assignees
- Technologies
Research & analysis
Full profile accessConnect target biology, drug development, and emerging evidence in your research.
- Biology
- Development news
- Analysis
Bring the full picture into focus.
See how Gosset can support your research on Testis expressed 101 protein (TEX101).