Reviewed January 2009
What is the official name of the USP9Y gene?
The official name of this gene is “ubiquitin specific peptidase 9, Y-linked (fat facets-like, Drosophila).”
USP9Y is the gene's official symbol. The USP9Y gene is also known by other names, listed below.
What is the normal function of the USP9Y gene?
The USP9Y gene provides instructions for making a protein called ubiquitin-specific protease 9. This gene is found on the Y chromosome. People normally have 46 chromosomes in each cell. Two of the 46 chromosomes are sex chromosomes, called X and Y. Females have two X chromosomes (46,XX), and males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (46,XY).
Because it is located on the Y chromosome, the USP9Y gene is present only in males. It occurs in a region of the Y chromosome called azoospermia factor A (AZFA). Azoospermia is the absence of sperm cells. The USP9Y gene is believed to be involved in sperm cell development, but its specific function is not well understood.
Does the USP9Y gene share characteristics with other genes?
The USP9Y gene belongs to a family of genes called USP (ubiquitin-specific peptidases).
A gene family is a group of genes that share important characteristics. Classifying individual genes into families helps researchers describe how genes are related to each other. For more information, see What are gene families? in the Handbook.
How are changes in the USP9Y gene related to health conditions?
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Y chromosome infertility - caused by mutations in the USP9Y gene
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A small number of individuals with Y chromosome infertility have mutations in the USP9Y gene or deletions of all or part of the gene. These changes in the USP9Y gene prevent the production of ubiquitin-specific protease 9 or result in the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional protein. The absence of functional ubiquitin-specific protease 9 impairs the production of sperm cells, resulting in an inability to father children.
Where is the USP9Y gene located?
Cytogenetic Location: Yq11.2
Molecular Location on the Y chromosome: base pairs 13,322,553 to 13,482,161
The USP9Y gene is located on the long (q) arm of the Y chromosome at position 11.2.
More precisely, the USP9Y gene is located from base pair 13,322,553 to base pair 13,482,161 on the Y chromosome.
See How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene? in the Handbook.
Where can I find additional information about USP9Y?
You and your healthcare professional may find the following resources about USP9Y helpful.
You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for genetics professionals and researchers.
- PubMed
- Recent literature
- OMIM - Genetic disorder catalog
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What other names do people use for the USP9Y gene or gene products?
- AZF
- AZF1
- AZFA
- azoospermia factor 1
- deubiquitinating enzyme FAF-Y
- DFFRY
- fat facets protein related, Y-linked
- FLJ33043
- SP3
- ubiquitin-specific processing protease FAF-Y
- ubiquitin specific protease 9, Y chromosome (fat facets-like Drosophila)
- ubiquitin specific protease 9, Y-linked
- ubiquitin thiolesterase FAF-Y
- USP9Y_HUMAN
Where can I find general information about genes?
The Handbook provides basic information about genetics in clear language.
These links provide additional genetics resources that may be useful.
What glossary definitions help with understanding USP9Y?
azoospermia ;
cell ;
chromosome ;
deletion ;
enzyme ;
gene ;
infertility ;
mutation ;
protease ;
protein ;
sex chromosomes ;
sperm ;
ubiquitin
You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference
Glossary.
The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for
professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about
a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified
healthcare professional.
See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.
