Tmco5, belonging to the Tmco (Transmembrane and coiled-coil domains) gene family, has a coiled-coil domain at the N-terminal and a transmembrane domain at the C-terminal. It may play a role in vesicle transport, potentially along the manchette, a structure in elongating spermatids [1].

In a high-throughput in situ hybridization screening in adult mouse testes, Tmco5 mRNA was found to be expressed in round and elongating spermatids. The protein is specifically expressed in step 9-12 elongating spermatids and localizes to the manchette, which is involved in transporting Golgi-derived non-acrosomal vesicles. Induced expression in CHO cells showed co-localization with β-tubulin and Golgi apparatus reorganization, suggesting its role in vesicle transport [1]. In ovarian cancer, differential DNA methylation of Tmco5 was associated with progression-free interval (PFI). Hypermethylation of Tmco5 was related to longer survival, indicating its potential role in the epigenetic regulation of ovarian cancer [2].

In conclusion, Tmco5 is likely involved in vesicle transport in spermatids and may play a role in the epigenetic regulation of ovarian cancer progression. Studies on Tmco5, especially through in vivo models like mouse testes analysis, help in understanding its functions in specific biological processes and disease-related epigenetic modifications.

References:

1. Yamase, Kenya, Tanigawa, Yoko, Yamamoto, Yasufumi, Tanaka, Hiromitsu, Komiya, Tohru. 2019. Mouse TMCO5 is localized to the manchette microtubules involved in vesicle transfer in the elongating spermatids. In PloS one, 14, e0220917. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0220917. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31393949/

2. Bauerschlag, Dirk O, Ammerpohl, Ole, Bräutigam, Karen, Meinhold-Heerlein, Ivo, Wagner, Wolfgang. 2011. Progression-free survival in ovarian cancer is reflected in epigenetic DNA methylation profiles. In Oncology, 80, 12-20. doi:10.1159/000327746. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21577013/