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10 sources retrieved · Most recent: April 2026 · Index updated 14 days ago
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SPAM1
sperm adhesion molecule 1
Chromosome 7 · 7q31.32
NCBI Gene: 6677Ensembl: ENSG00000106304.16HGNC: HGNC:11217UniProt: P38567
27PubMed Papers
20Diseases
0Drugs
0Pathogenic Variants
DATA QUALITY
✓ Experimental GO Evidence✓ Swiss-Prot Reviewed
acrosomal vesiclehyalurononglucosaminidase activityhyaluronan catabolic processplasma membraneCOVID-19ovarian dysfunctionhypertrophic cardiomyopathyatrial fibrillation
✦AI Summary

SPAM1 (sperm adhesion molecule 1) is a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked protein and the major mammalian testicular hyaluronidase with critical roles in male fertility 1. Primary Function: SPAM1 functions as a multifunctional enzyme essential for sperm-oocyte interaction. The protein is abundantly expressed in testicular spermatids and subsequently acquired by sperm during epididymal maturation 1. Its primary enzymatic role involves degrading hyaluronic acid in the cumulus cell matrix surrounding the ovum, facilitating sperm penetration toward the zona pellucida 2. Additionally, SPAM1 participates in zona pellucida binding and sperm intracellular signaling 2. Mechanism: SPAM1 expression is transcriptionally regulated by the cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM) via a CRE sequence in its promoter 3. The protein is transferred to sperm membranes via clusterin-mediated delivery from reproductive tract fluids, with clusterin facilitating monomeric SPAM1 transfer through lipid-exchange mechanisms 4. Disease Relevance: Reduced SPAM1 expression correlates with low acrosin activity, decreased sperm motility, and poor in vitro fertilization outcomes 5. This reduction associates with glutathione deficiency-induced oxidative stress and premature acrosome release 5. Clinical Significance: SPAM1 deficiency represents a pathological mechanism in male infertility, with therapeutic potential through antioxidant supplementation to restore enzyme activity and sperm function 5.

Sources cited
1
SPAM1 is a GPI-linked multifunctional protein and major testicular hyaluronidase; expressed in testis and acquired during epididymal maturation
PMID: 16420970
2
SPAM1 is important for penetration of cumulus cell layer and zona pellucida binding; testis-specific expression with endogenous retrovirus-derived promoter
PMID: 15804358
3
SPAM1 expression is transcriptionally regulated by CREM (cAMP-responsive element modulator) through a CRE sequence in the promoter
PMID: 10423292
4
Clusterin mediates transfer of monomeric SPAM1 from reproductive fluids to sperm membranes via lipid-exchange mechanisms
PMID: 19357365
5
Reduced SPAM1 expression correlates with low acrosin activity, decreased sperm motility, poor in vitro fertilization, and glutathione deficiency-induced oxidative stress
PMID: 37833433
Disease Associationsⓘ20
COVID-19Open Targets
0.33Weak
ovarian dysfunctionOpen Targets
0.29Weak
hypertrophic cardiomyopathyOpen Targets
0.29Weak
atrial fibrillationOpen Targets
0.25Weak
atrial flutterOpen Targets
0.20Weak
neoplasmOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
Male infertility with spermatogenesis disorder due to single gene mutationOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 3Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 55Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 83Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
spondylosisOpen Targets
0.05Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 7Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 16Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 21Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
azoospermiaOpen Targets
0.05Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 29Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 79Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 10Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 11Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
spermatogenic failure 19Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
Pathogenic Variants
No pathogenic variants reported on ClinVar for this gene.
View on ClinVar ↗
Related Genes
ARSBProtein interaction94%IDUAProtein interaction94%SPAG9Protein interaction89%ADAM30Protein interaction86%CD44Protein interaction82%MST1RProtein interaction81%
Tissue Expression6 tissues
Liver
0%
Ovary
0%
Brain
0%
Heart
0%
Lung
0%
Bone Marrow
0%
Gene Interaction Network
Click a node to explore
SPAM1ARSBIDUASPAG9ADAM30CD44MST1R
PROTEIN STRUCTURE
Preparing viewer…
PDB9JUB · 3.10 Å · EM
View on RCSB ↗
Constraintⓘ
LOEUFⓘ
1.01LoF Tolerant
pLIⓘ
0.00Tolerant
Observed/Expected LoF0.67 [0.46–1.01]
RankingsWhere SPAM1 stands among ~20K protein-coding genes
  • #12,681of 20,598
    Most Researched27
  • #9,834of 17,882
    Most Constrained (LOEUF)1.01
Genes detectedSPAM1
Sources retrieved10 papers
Response time—
📄 Sources
10▼
1
Recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20): an enabling platform for subcutaneous drug and fluid administration.
PMID: 17683255
Expert Opin Drug Deliv · 2007
1.00
2
ENHANZE
PMID: 30744432
Drug Deliv · 2019
0.90
3
Genetic Deficiencies of Hyaluronan Degradation.
PMID: 39056785
Cells · 2024
0.80
4
Transcription of the human and rodent SPAM1 / PH-20 genes initiates within an ancient endogenous retrovirus.
PMID: 15804358
BMC Genomics · 2005
0.70
5
Epididymal SPAM1 and its impact on sperm function.
PMID: 16420970
Mol Cell Endocrinol · 2006
0.60