# RNA SYNTHESIS IN SPERMATOZOA

> **NIH NIH R01** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY MEDFORD · 1994 · $160,114

## Abstract

The long term objective of this study is to examine the roles that
extragenetic components and sperm structural organization play in
regulating the formation of functional spermatozoa and viable embryos.
Special emphasis will be given to the structural organization of the
nucleus of sperm, the role of non-mitochondrial RNA in spermatozoa, and the
mechanisms regulating differential expression of a testis-specific
mitochondrial isozyme system during the late stages of male germ cell
differentiation.  The sperm chromatin studies seek to identify genes that
are expressed late in spermatogenesis and/or early in embryogenesis.  The
current availability of technologies that allow detection of single
molecules will provide a means to investigate whether non-mitochondrial
RNAs are present in spermatozoa.  The isozyme studies are designed to
define the mechanisms controlling isozyme switching in which an ubiquitous
mitochondrial protein is replaced by a sperm-specific variant in the
mammalian testis.  The events under investigation are likely to manifest
paternal effects of gene expression soon after fertilization and during
early embryogenesis.  These studies will define the regulatory roles that
differential sperm chromatin packaging play at fertilization and in early
embryogenesis, will elucidate mechanisms of nuclear-mitochondrial genome
communication during spermatogenesis, and will help determine how "isozyme
switching" for cytochrome c, an essential nuclear encoded mitochondrial
sperm protein is regulated.  The cytochrome c studies will also define a
general mechanism for gene shutdown in highly differentiated mammalian
cells.  Overall, the studies outlined in this proposal seek to identify
epigenetic and nuclear regulated processes essential for normal mammalian
development.  A better understanding of these events is needed to explain
how perturbations lead to birth defects.  In addition, a more detailed
comprehension of the molecular events of the male gamete before, at, and
following fertilization will provide necessary insight to aid in the
treatment of the infertile and lead to novel approaches for fertility
control.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2196848
- **Project number:** 5R01HD011878-16
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY MEDFORD
- **SAM.gov UEI:** WL9FLBRVPJJ7
- **Principal Investigator:** NORMAN B HECHT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $160,114
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-09-30 → 1997-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2196848

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2196848, RNA SYNTHESIS IN SPERMATOZOA (5R01HD011878-16). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2196848. Licensed CC0.

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