TEX15
Function
Required during spermatogenesis for normal chromosome synapsis and meiotic recombination in germ cells. Necessary for formation of DMC1 and RAD51 foci on meiotic chromosomes, suggesting a specific role in DNA double-stranded break repair (By similarity). Essential executor of PIWIL4-piRNA pathway directed transposon DNA methylation and silencing in the male embryonic germ cells (By similarity). PIWIL4-piRNA binds to nascent transposon transcripts and interacts with TEX15, which may in turn recruit the epigenetic silencing machinery to the transposon loci (By similarity). Not required for piRNA biosynthesis (By similarity).
Involvement in disease
Spermatogenic failure 25
SPGF25
An autosomal recessive infertility disorder caused by spermatogenesis defects that result in severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia.
None
The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the TEX15 family.
Tissue Specificity
Expressed in testis, predominantly in germ cells (PubMed:11279525, PubMed:26199321). Low expression, if any, in ovary (PubMed:11279525, PubMed:26199321). Also expressed in several cancers (PubMed:12704671).
Cellular localization
- Cytoplasm
- Nucleus
Alternative names
Testis-expressed protein 15, Cancer/testis antigen 42, CT42, TEX15