InterPro domain: IPR001283

The cysteine-rich secretory proteins (Crisp) are predominantly found in the mammalian male reproductive tract as well as in the venom of reptiles. This family includes mammalian testis-specific protein (Tpx-1), also known as cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2) [ 1 ]; venom allergen 5 from vespid wasps and venom allergen 3 from fire ants, which are potent allergens that mediate allergic reactions to stings insects of the Hymenoptera family [ 2 ]; scoloptoxins from Scolopendra dehaani (Thai centipede) [ 3 ]; plant pathogenesis proteins of the PR-1 family [ 4 ], which are synthesised during pathogen infection or other stress-related responses; allurin, a sperm chemoattractant [ 5 ], serotriflin [ 6 ], etc.

The precise function of some of these proteins is still unclear. Tpx-1 or CRISP2 may regulate some ion channels' activity and thereby regulate calcium fluxes during sperm capacitation [ 7 ].

This entry also includes allergen Tab y 5.0101 from horsefly salivary glands [ 8 ] and antigen 5 like allergen Cul n 1 from biting midge salivary glands [ 9 ].

1. Cloning and mapping of a testis-specific gene with sequence similarity to a sperm-coating glycoprotein gene. Genomics 5, 527-34
2. Sequence analysis and antigenic cross-reactivity of a venom allergen, antigen 5, from hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets. J. Immunol. 150, 2823-30
3. Venomic and transcriptomic analysis of centipede Scolopendra subspinipes dehaani. J. Proteome Res. 11, 6197-212
4. Differential targeting of the tobacco PR-1 pathogenesis-related proteins to the extracellular space and vacuoles of crystal idioblasts. EMBO J. 10, 1317-24
5. Xenopus tropicalis allurin: expression, purification, and characterization of a sperm chemoattractant that exhibits cross-species activity. Dev. Biol. 316, 408-16
6. Serotriflin, a CRISP family protein with binding affinity for small serum protein-2 in snake serum. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1784, 621-8
7. The cysteine-rich secretory protein domain of Tpx-1 is related to ion channel toxins and regulates ryanodine receptor Ca2+ signaling. J. Biol. Chem. 281, 4156-63
8. Purification and characterization of two new allergens from the salivary glands of the horsefly, Tabanus yao. Allergy 66, 101-9
9. Cloning, production and characterization of antigen 5 like proteins from Simulium vittatum and Culicoides nubeculosus, the first cross-reactive allergen associated with equine insect bite hypersensitivity. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 137, 76-83