Protamine 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PRM2 gene.[5]
Function
Protamines substitute for histones in the chromatin of sperm during the haploid phase of spermatogenesis, and are the major DNA-binding proteins in the nucleus of sperm in many vertebrates. They package the sperm DNA into a highly condensed complex in a volume less than 5% of a somatic cell nucleus. Many mammalian species have only one protamine (protamine 1); however, a few species, including human and mouse, have two. This gene encodes protamine 2, which is cleaved to give rise to a family of protamine 2 peptides. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have also been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2015].
Friel A, Houghton JA, Glennon M, Lavery R, Smith T, Nolan A, Maher M (February 2002). "A preliminary report on the implication of RT-PCR detection of DAZ, RBMY1, USP9Y and Protamine-2 mRNA in testicular biopsy samples from azoospermic men". International Journal of Andrology. 25 (1): 59–64. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2605.2002.00326.x. PMID11869379.
Aoki VW, Christensen GL, Atkins JF, Carrell DT (November 2006). "Identification of novel polymorphisms in the nuclear protein genes and their relationship with human sperm protamine deficiency and severe male infertility". Fertility and Sterility. 86 (5): 1416–22. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.04.033. PMID16989827.
Aoki VW, Christensen GL, Atkins JF, Carrell DT (November 2006). "Identification of novel polymorphisms in the nuclear protein genes and their relationship with human sperm protamine deficiency and severe male infertility". Fertility and Sterility. 86 (5): 1416–22. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.04.033. PMID16989827.
Aoki VW, Liu L, Jones KP, Hatasaka HH, Gibson M, Peterson CM, Carrell DT (November 2006). "Sperm protamine 1/protamine 2 ratios are related to in vitro fertilization pregnancy rates and predictive of fertilization ability". Fertility and Sterility. 86 (5): 1408–15. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.04.024. PMID17011555.