胱蛋白酶抑制剂超家族成员CRES的研究进展

Research Progress of Cystain-regulated Epididymal Spermatogenic Gene

胱蛋白酶抑制剂相关的附睾精子发生(cystain-related epididymal spermatogenic,CRES)蛋白是胱蛋白酶抑制剂(cystatin)家族中的一个亚类,在结构上与cystatin家族具有一定的同源性,但缺少胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制活性必需的保守序列,主要在睾丸及附睾中表达。探究CRES亚类的表达调控及其生物学功能将有助于阐明精子发生与成熟的分子机制,为解决精子成熟异常引起的不孕症提供分子基础,也为开发一些阻断精子成熟的男性避孕药物提供新的设计思路。

The CRES （cystain-regulated epididymal spermatogenic） protein is defined a new subgroup of cystain superfamily, which is predominantly expressed in male reproductive system, especially in testis and epididymis. The CRES subgroup shares a certain sequence homology with cystatin family, but lacks the three consensus sites necessary for cysteine proteases inhibitory activity. The investigation of expression regulation and biological function of CRES subgroup will help to elucidate the molecular mechanism of sperm maturation, provide molecular basis for the settlement of infertility caused by sperm maturation abnormality, and offer new thoughts for the development of male contraceptive drugs based on the interruption of sperm maturation.