(Scanned from the applicant?s abstract) The successful fusion of sperm and egg is the first and most critical step in an organism?s development. Understanding how and when fertilization successful takes place is critical to understanding population and species divergence, but the mechanisms of cell formation and division. The model organism with which to study gametic interactions is the free spawning sea urchin Echinometra, where sperm-egg recognition is the only barrier against undesirable or incompatible fertilizations. The protein that in part mediates the species-specific binding of sperm to the egg surface, bindin, is well characterized. The corresponding receptor of the egg surface however, has yet to be identified. I propose here an attempt to identify this and other female specific genes that are expressed only in the germ line tissues via RNA differential display. Female specific transcripts associated with the bindin gene (that is male specific are) perfect candidates for the unknown egg surface receptor. All female specific transcripts will be explored for their possible involvement in gametic interactions and ultimately species divergence.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32GM063411-04
Application #
6683215
Study Section
Reproductive Biology Study Section (REB)
Program Officer
Tompkins, Laurie
Project Start
2001-12-01
Project End
2004-11-30
Budget Start
2003-12-01
Budget End
2004-11-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$47,296
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305