TEX15 is a family of eukaryotic proteins that is required for chromosomal synapsis and meiotic recombination. TEX15 regulates the loading of DNA repair proteins onto sites of double-stranded-breaks and, thus, its absence causes a failure in meiotic recombination [1]. Two polymorphisms in the TEX15 gene could be considered the genetic risk factors for spermatogenic failure in the Chinese Han population [3].

1: Mouse TEX15 is essential for DNA double-strand break repair and chromosomal synapsis during male meiosis. Yang F, Eckardt S, Leu NA, McLaughlin KJ, Wang PJ; J Cell Biol. 2008;180:673-679. PMID:18283110

2: Association Study of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in FASLG, JMJDIA, LOC203413, TEX15, BRDT, OR2W3, INSR, and TAS2R38 Genes With Male Infertility. Plaseski T, Noveski P, Popeska Z, Efremov GD, Plaseska-Karanfilska D; J Androl. 2012;33:675-683. PMID:22016351

3: Genetic Variants in TEX15 Gene Conferred Susceptibility to Spermatogenic Failure in the Chinese Han Population. Ruan J, He XJ, Du WD, Chen G, Zhou Y, Xu S, Zou XB, Fang LB, Cao YX, Zhang XJ; Reprod Sci. 2012; [Epub ahead of print] PMID:22581801