Involved in fertilization by facilitating sperm penetration of the zona pellucida. May promote spermatocyte apoptosis, thereby limiting sperm production. In adults, may reduce testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells. Is not essential either for development or fertility.
Subcellular locations: Secreted, Cytoplasmic vesicle, Secretory vesicle, Acrosome
Localized specifically to the crescent shaped acrosome at the apex of the sperm head.
More highly expressed in adult testis than in fetal testis. Exclusively expressed in the testis (at protein level). Intense expression in stages II, III and IV of spermatogenesis, whereas expression is lower in stage I.