CCDC25 is highly conserved among mammals and other eukaryotes, such as Arabidopsis thaliana . It is expressed ubiquitously in human tissues, with high expression levels in oocytes, Achilles tendon, duodenum, and other tissues . Despite its widespread expression, the function of CCDC25 is not well understood. It is predicted to localize to the nucleus and has been shown to be upregulated in Metaphase II oocytes .
Although the precise function of CCDC25 remains unclear, it has been shown to interact with Smad2, a latent transcription factor involved in the TGF-β signaling pathway . Additionally, CCDC25 is a predicted substrate for several kinases, including Casein Kinase 1, Casein Kinase 2, cGMP-dependent protein kinase, and the Insulin Receptor . These interactions suggest that CCDC25 may play a role in cell signaling and regulation.
CCDC25 has been implicated in various cellular processes, including the regulation of cell motility. It acts as a transmembrane receptor that senses neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and triggers the ILK-PARVB pathway to enhance cell motility . This function is particularly relevant in the context of cancer metastasis, where CCDC25 promotes the migration of tumor cells by sensing NETs .
Given its potential roles in cell signaling and cancer metastasis, CCDC25 is a subject of ongoing research. Understanding its precise functions and interactions could provide valuable insights into cellular processes and disease mechanisms.