EDRI Federal Project Inventory:
Androgenic Regulation of Epididymal Sperm Binding Proteins: Role of RNA-Binding Proteins
- Sponsor Organization: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
- Project Title: ANDROGENIC REGULATION OF EPIDIDYMAL SPERM BINDING PROTEINS: ROLE OF
RNA-BINDING PROTEINS
- Project Focus: HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS
- Description: In all male mammalian species, including man, spermatozoa that leave
the testis areinfertile and immobile. The acquisition of fertilizing
capacity and motility byspermatozoa occurs in an organ called the
epididymis and the overall process is oftenreferred to as "sperm
maturation". It is now well accepted in reproductive biology
andbiochemistry that spermatozoan maturation is mediated by proteins
and glycoproteinscalled fertility antigens. These fertility antigens
are secreted by the epididymis underthe control of the male hormone,
testosterone. Using the rat as an experimental model,Dr. Hall has
identified a key fertility antigen that is secreted by the epididymis
and bindsto the sperm plasma membrane. This sperm plasma membrane
antigen which issynthesized by the epididymis plays a key
physiological role in plasma membranechanges on the surface
spermatozoa that accompany the development of fertilizingcapacity and
motility in mammals. An initial step toward elucidating the basic
causes ofmale infertility or developing compounds as potential male
contraceptives is tounderstand how these fertility antigens are
regulated in the mammalian epididymis.Thus, the broad, long-term
objective of the present study is to provide a basicunderstanding of
how fertility antigens are regulated. A working model for theandrogen-
dependent synthesis of this fertility antigen is proposed in this
study. Aunique feature of the model is that the synthesis of this
fertility antigen may beregulated at the level of its own messenger
RNA (mRNA). He further hypothesizes thatthe rate at which this
fertility antigen is synthesized in cells of the epididymis
iscontrolled by proteins that bind to its mRNA. If this hypothesis
proves correct, it may bepossible in the near future to develop a
compound that can selectively block(contraceptive) or enhance
(conception) the synthesis of the fertility antigen.
- References:
- Category: MODELS
- Subcategory: BASIC RESEARCH
- Keywords for Experimental System/Species: MAMMALIAN, IN VIVO, IN VITRO, LABORATORY STUDY
- Keywords for Experimental Endpoints: IMMUNOLOGICAL, REPRODUCTIVE, MALE, HORMONE RECEPTORS, BREEDING
BEHAVIOR,
- Chemical Agents: Sex Steroids
- Performing Institution: North Carolina State University
- Contact: Joseph C Hall, P.O. BOX 7003, Raleigh, NC 27650-5067 919 737-2011
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