Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine researchers have
recently discovered new functions for Sperm Associated Antigen 6
(SPAG6), a gene previously thought to be only important for cilia
motility. Deficiencies of the gene have been associated with male
infertility, though the new findings could have implications for
diagnosis and treatment for some cancers.
"I identified a new complex [grouping of genes] that plays multiple
roles, including spermatogenesis, hearing and immune synapse formation,"
said Zhibing Zhang, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology in the VCU School of Medicine.
In addition to increased cellular function, it appears that SPAG6
expression is associated with sensitivity to paclitaxel, a
microtubule-stabilizing drug used to treat lung, breast and ovarian cancers, among others.
Previous studies have shown that SPAG6 expression in humans is
increased in some malignancies. "We believe the overexpression of this
gene is one of the reasons why some cancers are resistant to
microtubule-targeting drugs, such as paclitaxel, "These studies strongly suggest that SPAG6 is a novel treatment target
for some cancers, particularly to the cancers that are resistant to
drugs like paclitaxel."
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