Acrosin (ACR) Antibody

Background

Acrosin (ACR) is a serine protease enzyme localized in the acrosome of spermatozoa, where it plays a critical role in the fertilization process. It is synthesized as an inactive zymogen called proacrosin, which is activated during the acrosome reaction to assist in the penetration of the sperm through the zona pellucida, the outer glycoprotein layer of the oocyte. Acrosin functions by hydrolyzing zona pellucida proteins and facilitating sperm binding to the egg, making it essential for successful fertilization. The activity of acrosin is tightly regulated to prevent premature activation, ensuring that it is only active during the fertilization process. Dysregulation or mutations affecting acrosin function have been associated with male infertility due to impaired sperm-oocyte interaction. Acrosin is also studied as a marker for sperm acrosomal integrity and functionality in reproductive biology and clinical diagnostics. Research into acrosin inhibitors is being explored as a potential strategy for developing non-hormonal contraceptives.