The objectives of this proposal are to determine the biochemical mechanisms involved in the epididymal maturation of mammalian sperm. This process results in the conversion of sperm with limited fertilization potential into cells which are fully competent to fertilize an ovum. Since spermatozoa are terminally differentiated cells, possessing limited biosynthetic capabilities, it would appear that the interaction of the cells with their environment, i.e. epididymal fluid, may play the major role in the development of a fully competent cell. A two step approach for the study of epididymal development is being proposed. First a combination of biochemical and immunological techniques will be used to determine: (i) what changes have occurred to the plasma membrane during epididymal migration and (ii) whether such alterations are a consequence of the interaction of sperm with epididymal fluid. Second, experiments will be conducted in the general area of cyclic nucleotide metabolism. Specifically, we will determine (1) how cAMP levels are regulated in sperm; (ii) what role cAMP-dependent protein kinases play in sperm metabolism and (iii) since Ca2+ is an essential component of the acrosomal reactions, what processes in sperm are regulated in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent manner. The long term goal of this project will be to determine whether there is a correlation between alterations in plasma membrane structure and changes in cyclic nucleotide metabolism in sperm.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Modified Research Career Development Award (K04)
Project #
5K04HD000577-03
Application #
3073143
Study Section
Reproductive Biology Study Section (REB)
Project Start
1984-09-15
Project End
1989-08-31
Budget Start
1986-09-01
Budget End
1987-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009095365
City
Bronx
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10461
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Fudem-Goldin, B; Orr, G A (1990) 2-Iminobiotin-containing reagent and affinity columns. Methods Enzymol 184:167-73
Paupard, M C; MacLeod, J; Wasco, W et al. (1988) Major 56,000-dalton, soluble phosphoprotein present in bovine sperm is the regulatory subunit of a type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase. J Cell Biochem 37:161-75