[Research progress of TSPY1 gene family]

Abstract

TSPY1 (testis-specific protein, Y-linked 1) gene family, located in male-specific region of Y-chromosome (MSY), has the maximum number of copies organized as a long tandem repeat array in protein-coding gene families of human genome. TSPY1 is identified to be the most important candidate gene for gonadoblastoma, and its coding protein can promote the proliferation and differentiation of tumor cells. Recently, TSPY1 gene family is also proposed to play an important role in spermatogenesis. In this review, the structure characteristics of the gene family were illustrated, and the functional studies of TSPY1 in the process of tumorigenesis and spermatogenesis were discussed.