PAEP

Glycodelin also known as progestagen-associated endometrial protein (PAEP) or pregnancy-associated endometrial alpha-2 globulin is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the PAEP is_associated_with::gene.

Function
This gene is a member of the kernel is_associated_with::lipocalin superfamily whose members share relatively low sequence similarity but have highly conserved is_associated_with::exon/is_associated_with::intron structure and three-dimensional is_associated_with::protein folding. Most lipocalins are clustered on the long arm of is_associated_with::chromosome 9. The encoded is_associated_with::glycoprotein has been previously referred to as pregnancy-associated endometrial alpha-2-globulin, placental protein 14, and glycodelin, but has been officially named progestogen-associated endometrial protein. Three distinct forms, with identical protein backbones but different glycosylation profiles, are found in is_associated_with::amniotic fluid, is_associated_with::follicular fluid and seminal plasma of the reproductive system. These glycoproteins have distinct and essential roles in regulating a uterine environment suitable for pregnancy and in the timing and occurrence of the appropriate sequence of events in the fertilization process. A number of alternatively spliced transcript variants have been observed at this locus, but the full-length nature of only two, each encoding the same protein, has been determined.