The Role and Effect of Hspa2 in Male Infertility

The heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a group of homologous proteins encoded with a multigene family. They can be divided into five groups based on both size and function; including HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90 and HSP100. Expression of HSPs can be constitutive and can increased when cells undergo metabolic and/or heat stress. HSPA2/Hsp70-2 is a kind of HSP70 and constitutively expressed in testis. This protein is essential for sperm maturation and is associated with infertility. HSPA2 expression has been shown to occur in two phases in human testis; 1) meiosis as an element of the synaptonemal complex and 2) spermiogenesis durinat sperm maturation and is considesered as an index for matured sperm. Several functions have been proposed for HSPA2 protein in human testis including; protein folding, formation and desynapsis of synaptonemal complex, repair of DNA strand breaks, plasma membrane remodeling, and the removal of excess cytoplasm. Background literature suggests that HSPA2 play a key role in spermatogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this biological- medicine study was the evaluation of the role and effect of HSPA2 in male infertility.