Sperm Antigen With Calponin Homology And Coiled-Coil 1 (SPECC1) is a protein encoded by the SPECC1 gene. This protein is known for its role in the stability of microtubules and the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, which are crucial for cell adhesion and migration . SPECC1 is also referred to as HCMOGT1 and NSP in various studies .
The SPECC1 gene is located on chromosome 17p11.2 and contains 17 exons spanning at least 227 kb . The gene encodes multiple splice variants, which are expressed in various tissues, including the testis, spleen, and some cancer cell lines . The protein contains an ATPase domain similar to that of SMC family members and a coiled-coil domain commonly seen in motor or structural proteins .
SPECC1 plays a significant role in microtubule stability and actin cytoskeleton reorganization. It colocalizes with acetylated alpha-tubulin at microtubules, including mitotic spindles during cell division and in gap junctions involved in cell adhesion . The protein interacts with actin via its C-terminal domain and is involved in spindle orientation and cell polarity, which are essential for cell migration .
Mutations in the SPECC1 gene have been associated with various diseases, including geographic tongue and atrophic glossitis . Additionally, SPECC1 has been identified as a fusion partner to the platelet-derived growth factor receptor, beta gene (PDGFRB) in cases of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia . The gene’s involvement in cell adhesion and migration makes it a potential target for cancer research and therapy.
Research on SPECC1 has shown its high expression in the testis and its role in stabilizing microtubules containing acetylated actin . Overexpression of SPECC1 can distort the actin cytoskeleton and cell shape, leading to defects in cell adhesion and migration . These findings highlight the importance of SPECC1 in cellular processes and its potential as a therapeutic target.