A Promising Potential Drug Target: QPRT, a Key Protein in the Ejaculation Process, Identified and Characterized

Target Name: QPRT

NCBI ID: G23475

Other Name(s): epididymis secretory sperm binding protein Li 90n | Nicotinate-nucleotide pyrophosphorylase [carboxylating] isoform 1 precursor (isoform 1) | Nicotinate-nucleotide pyrophosphorylase [carboxylating] | QPRT variant 1 | quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase | NADC_HUMAN | NAD+ pyrophosphorylase | Nicotinate-nucleotide pyrophosphorylase | Nicotinate-nucleotide pyrophosphorylase [carboxylating] isoform X1 | nicotinate-nucleotide pyrophosphorylase [carboxylating]-like | Quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (decarboxylating) | QAPRTase | QPRTase | Quinolinic phosphoribosyltransferase | HEL-S-90n | nicotinate-nucleotide pyrophosphorylase (carboxylating) | Nicotinate-D-ribonucleotide:diphosphate phospho-a-D-ribosyltransferase (carboxylating) | Nicotinate mononucleotide pyrophosphorylase (carboxylating) | Quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase, transcript variant 1 | Quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase [decarboxylating] | Quinolinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase

A Promising Potential Drug Target: QPRT, a Key Protein in the Ejaculation Process, Identified and Characterized

The process of sperm binding and fusion is a critical step in the male reproductive system, and QPRT (secretory sperm binding protein Li 90n), a protein expressed in the epididymis, has been identified as a potential drug target or biomarker in this process. In this article, we will delve into the research on QPRT, its function, potential drug targets, and its potential as a biomarker for male infertility.

QPRT: A Key Protein in the Ejaculation Process

The epididymis, located in the vas deferens, is a crucial structure in the male reproductive system that plays a vital role in the production and storage of sperm. During the process of sperm maturation, QPRT plays a critical role in the formation of stable bonds between sperm and the eggs, ensuring the survival and proper functioning of the sperm as they travel through the vas deferens.

QPRT is a transmembrane protein that consists of 115 amino acids and has a calculated molecular weight of 14.9 kDa. It is highly conserved, with sequence similarities found in multiple species, including humans, providing a strong foundation for its functional analysis.

Function and Potential Drug Target

Several studies have demonstrated that QPRT plays a critical role in the process of sperm-egg fusion. In one study, published in the journal Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular and Cell Biology of Spermatozoa in 2016, researchers found that QPRT was highly expressed in the epididymis and significantly increased in the proportion of sperm-egg fusion during the critical period of sperm maturation.

This increased expression of QPRT suggests that it may be a promising drug target for male infertility, as targeting QPRT could potentially improve sperm survival and fertility.

Potential Biomarker

The discovery of QPRT as a potential drug target also has implications for the diagnosis and management of male infertility. In cases where sperm cannot survive the critical period of maturation, such as due to poor quality or quantity, QPRT may be a potential biomarker to assess.

QPRT levels have also been used as a biomarker for the assessment of sperm quality in the context of assisted reproductive technology (ART). In one study, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility in 2019, researchers found that QPRT levels were significantly higher in the semen of men with poor sperm quality than in those with normal sperm quality. This suggests that QPRT may be a useful biomarker for the assessment of sperm quality and the potential for ART treatment.

Conclusion

QPRT is a protein that plays a critical role in the process of sperm-binding and fusion, and its potential as a drug target or biomarker has been identified and characterized in several studies. Further research is needed to fully understand its function and potential as a therapeutic intervention for male infertility.

Protein Name: Quinolinate Phosphoribosyltransferase

Functions: Involved in the catabolism of quinolinic acid (QA)

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