Tex9, short for Testis-expressed protein 9, is a gene with its function still being explored. It has been associated with ciliogenesis/flagellum formation in germ cells, indicating its importance in male reproductive biology [4]. Also, it may be related to ciliary functions as its cilia/basal body localization has been experimentally confirmed [2].

In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), Tex9 and eIF3b functionally synergize to promote cell proliferation and migration, while inhibiting apoptosis. They achieve this through the activation of the AKT signaling pathway, suggesting a novel mechanism for ESCC progression [1]. In an in vivo functional genomics screening in mice, Tex9 was identified as one of the genes that regulate in vivo sensitivity to immune attack in a syngeneic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) model, demonstrating its role in anti-tumor immunity [3].

In conclusion, Tex9 is involved in important biological processes such as male reproduction-related ciliogenesis and in disease-related contexts like ESCC progression and anti-tumor immunity. The findings from in vivo studies in mice and cell-based experiments in ESCC have provided insights into its functions, which may help in understanding these biological processes and developing relevant therapeutic strategies.