Facilitates sperm penetration into the layer of cumulus cells surrounding the egg by digesting hyaluronic acid. Involved in induction of the acrosome reaction in the sperm. Involved in follicular atresia, the breakdown of immature ovarian follicles that are not selected to ovulate. Induces ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis, possibly via apoptotic signaling pathway involving CASP8 and CASP3 activation, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Has no hyaluronidase activity in embryonic fibroblasts in vitro. Has no hyaluronidase activity in granulosa cells in vitro.
Secreted . Cell membrane . Cytoplasmic vesicle, secretory vesicle, acrosome . Endoplasmic reticulum . Early endosome . Mostly present in low-density vesicles. Low levels in higher density vesicles of late endosomes and lysosomes. Localized in punctate cytoplasmic vesicles and in perinuclear structures, but does not colocalize with LAMP1. Localized on the plasma membrane over the acrosome and on the surface of the midpiece of the sperm tail. .
Expressed in sperm (PubMed:20586096). Highly expressed in epidermis of the skin, where it is expressed intracellularily in the deep horny layer (at protein level) (PubMed:21699545). Bone marrow, testis and kidney (PubMed:10493834).
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