VCX Activators

Variable Charge, X-linked (VCX) is a protein family encoded by the VCX gene cluster located on the human X chromosome. This cluster includes several genes, such as VCX, VCX2, VCX3A, and VCX3B, which produce proteins varying in size and charge due to differences in their amino acid sequences. The VCX protein family is typically characterized by its variable C-terminal region, which accounts for the differences in charge and potentially influences the function of each VCX protein variant.The VCX proteins are expressed predominantly in male germ cells, particularly in the testes, suggesting a role in spermatogenesis, the process by which sperm cells are produced. Given the testis-specific expression pattern, the VCX proteins are hypothesized to be involved in the regulation of gene expression during the development of sperm cells, potentially affecting processes such as cell cycle control, meiosis, and chromatin remodeling.

Despite being located on the X chromosome, VCX genes escape X-inactivation, a process where one of the two X chromosomes in females is largely silenced to balance gene expression between males (XY) and females (XX). This escape from inactivation implies that VCX proteins might have dosage-sensitive functions that are important in both sexes, although the specific roles in females are less understood.Mutations or deletions in the VCX gene cluster have been associated with X-linked intellectual disability (XLID), indicating that these proteins may also have functions in neural development or synaptic plasticity. Further research into the VCX proteins is required to fully elucidate their cellular roles, their regulatory mechanisms, and how alterations in these proteins contribute to human disease phenotypes, particularly in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders and fertility.