Tetratricopeptide repeat domain 21A (TTC21A)

Tetratricopeptide repeat domain 21A (TTC21A) is a protein-coding gene that encodes a member of the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) protein family, which primarily functions as a scaffold for protein-protein interactions. TTC21A is a component of the intraflagellar transport particle A (IFT-A) complex, playing a critical role in the formation and function of motile cilia, notably in sperm flagellar motility and spermiogenesis. It is highly expressed in tissues with active cilia, such as testis, and its dysfunction is implicated in spermatogenic failure (SPGF37) and oligospermia. Recent studies suggest TTC21A may also have prognostic value in colorectal cancer, where elevated expression levels correlate with poorer overall survival and possible influence on tumor immunity, although it is not a direct therapeutic target. Currently, no drugs are known to target TTC21A directly, and its primary relevance is as a research subject in cell biology and disease biomarker studies rather than as a therapeutic target.

Other names

Tetratricopeptide repeat protein 21AStress-inducible protein 2STI2Thm2IFT139ATPR repeat protein 21ASPGF37testicular tissue protein Li 212Ttc21a-ps14921538N17RikRGD1308806