InterPro domain: IPR044852

WWP2 N-terminal-like (WBP2NL), also known as post-acrosomal sheath WW domain-binding protein (PAWP), is a testis-specific protein localized in the post-acrosomal sheath of spermatozoa [ 1 ]. The WBP2NL protein enters the oocyte during fertilization, and induces meiotic resumption and oocyte activation events [ 2 , 3 ]. It may be associated with cellular proliferation and tumourigenic processes [ 4 , 5 ].

WBP2 encodes the WW domain-binding protein 2 that acts as a transcriptional coactivator for the estrogen and progesterone receptors [ 6 , 7 ]. WBP2 binds to the target gene promoter and is required for the binding of the phosphorylated form of RNA polymerase II to the same promoter. Furthermore, it is also essential for histone acetylation at the same target region [ 8 ].

This entry represents WBP2 and related proteins from animals, fungi and plants.

1. The postacrosomal assembly of sperm head protein, PAWP, is independent of acrosome formation and dependent on microtubular manchette transport. Dev. Biol. 312, 471-83
2. PAWP, a sperm-specific WW domain-binding protein, promotes meiotic resumption and pronuclear development during fertilization. J. Biol. Chem. 282, 12164-75
3. Sperm-derived WW domain-binding protein, PAWP, elicits calcium oscillations and oocyte activation in humans and mice. FASEB J. 28, 4434-40
4. Expression analysis of PAWP during mouse embryonic stem cell-based spermatogenesis in vitro. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. Anim. 50, 475-81
5. Elevated Expression of the Testis-specific Gene WBP2NL in Breast Cancer. Biomark Cancer 7, 19-24
6. WW domain binding protein-2, an E6-associated protein interacting protein, acts as a coactivator of estrogen and progesterone receptors. Mol. Endocrinol. 20, 2343-54
7. Tyrosine phosphorylation of transcriptional coactivator WW-domain binding protein 2 regulates estrogen receptor α function in breast cancer via the Wnt pathway. FASEB J. 25, 3004-18
8. Molecular mechanism of WW-domain binding protein-2 coactivation function in estrogen receptor signaling. IUBMB Life 65, 76-84