TEX11

TEX11 is a gene that encodes a protein in humans. This protein is a member of the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) family, which is a type of protein motif found in a wide range of organisms. The TPR motif is characterized by a series of repeats, typically 34 amino acids long, that form a structure known as a TPR domain. Proteins with TPR domains are involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell cycle regulation, transcriptional control, mitochondrial and peroxisomal protein transport, neurogenesis and protein folding.

Function

The TEX11 protein is involved in meiosis, a type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in a cell by half. This process is crucial for the formation of gametes, or sex cells, in organisms that reproduce sexually. In males, TEX11 is essential for spermatogenesis, the process by which sperm cells are produced. Mutations in the TEX11 gene can lead to male infertility due to impaired spermatogenesis.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the TEX11 gene have been associated with non-obstructive azoospermia, a condition characterized by the absence of sperm in semen. This condition is a common cause of male infertility. Studies have shown that men with mutations in the TEX11 gene have a significantly higher risk of azoospermia than men without these mutations.

See also

• Tetratricopeptide repeat
• Meiosis
• Spermatogenesis
• Infertility
• Azoospermia