Involved in sperm-egg adhesion. Upon fertilization sperm must first penetrate a layer of cumulus cells that surrounds the egg before reaching the zona pellucida. The cumulus cells are embedded in a matrix containing hyaluronic acid which is formed prior to ovulation. This protein aids in penetrating the layer of cumulus cells by digesting hyaluronic acid.
Gene References into Functions
Human posterior head 20 (hPH20) and homo sapiens sperm acrosome associated 1 (hSPACA1) immunocontraceptive epitopes reduced fertility in male/female mice.PMID:25209425
results indicate that neither rHuPH20 nor its directly generated HA catabolites have inflammatory properties in the air pouch model, and rHuPH20 can instead inhibit some aspects of inflammation, such as neutrophil infiltration into the air pouch.PMID:24778442
HSPA2 regulates the expression of sperm surface receptors involved in human sperm-oocyte recognition, such as arylsulfatase A and SPAM1.PMID:23247813
The interaction between SPAM1, ARSA and HSPA2 in a multimeric complex mediating sperm-egg interaction.PMID:23209833
PH20 is elevated in demyelinating lesions and that increased PH20 expression is sufficient to inhibit oligodendrocyte precursor cell maturation and remyelination.PMID:23463525
SPAM1 mRNA & protein occur in all 3 regions of epididymis & vas deferens. It has hyaluronidase activity at pH 7.0. The proximal promoter has epididymal transcription factor sites including androgen receptor elements. Its role may be in sperm maturation.PMID:12932297