Zinc finger MYND-type containing 15 (ZMYND15)

Zinc finger MYND-type containing 15 (ZMYND15) is a protein-coding gene that encodes a zinc finger protein containing a MYND domain and a nuclear localization sequence. It acts as a transcriptional repressor, specifically expressed in testicular haploid germ cells (pachytene spermatocytes and spermatids), where it regulates the spatiotemporal expression of genes critical for late spermiogenesis. ZMYND15 functions by recruiting histone deacetylase enzymes (HDACs), particularly HDAC1, HDAC3, and HDAC6, to suppress the transcription of haploid genes during sperm development. Loss-of-function mutations in ZMYND15 are associated with severe male infertility phenotypes, including azoospermia (complete absence of sperm) and oligozoospermia (low sperm count), often accompanied by abnormal sperm morphology. Although ZMYND15 is implicated as a key regulator in male fertility, its direct use as a therapeutic target or biomarker remains investigational, and further research is needed to clarify its full molecular mechanisms and clinical utility[1][2][3].

Other names

SPGF14DKFZp434N127zinc finger MYND domain-containing protein 15ZMY15_HUMAN

Transcriptional repression mediated by recruitment of histone deacetylases (HDACs)[1][3], HDAC-dependent gene silencing[3]