Tudor domain-containing protein 1 (TDRD1)

Tudor domain-containing protein 1 (TDRD1) is a scaffold protein characterized by four conserved Tudor domains and a MYND-type zinc finger domain[1][2][4]. It is normally highly specific to the testis and required for spermatogenesis, where it participates in the piRNA pathway by interacting with PIWI proteins and small RNAs to repress transposable elements and thus preserve genome integrity in germ cells[3][4][5]. TDRD1 plays a key role in the assembly of protein complexes at the nuage and chromatoid body—germ cell-specific organelles important for RNA processing. In cancer, notably prostate cancer, TDRD1 is aberrantly expressed as a cancer/testis antigen, likely due to chromosomal rearrangements and upregulation by ETS family transcription factors such as ERG[4][3]. Loss-of-function or mutation in TDRD1 leads to defective piRNA biogenesis and male infertility in mouse models[1][4]. There are currently no drugs directly targeting TDRD1, but its tumor-specific expression in prostate cancer makes it a potential target for immunotherapeutic strategies and a candidate biomarker[4][3].

Other names

CT41.1Cancer/testis antigen 41.1Testicular tissue protein Li 193TDRD1tudor domain-containing protein 1

Not applicable; no approved or researched drugs directly target TDRD1