Advances in the research of sperm protein 17 / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) is a testis-specific protein involved in acrosome reaction in spermatozoa. However, the Sp17 gene has been recently detected in normal non-testis tissues and malignant neoplasias. Therefore Sp17 may be a potential target for immunocontraception and a suitable target for tumor immunotherapy. This paper reviews the advances in the protein characterization, expression and distribution, and biological function of Sp17 and its clinical research.