# EGG-MEDIATED MOTILITY DURING FERTILIZATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 1994 · $106,785

## Abstract

The goal of fertilization is the union of the parental genomes within
the cytoplasm of an activated egg.  To accomplish this several
movements must occur which culminate in the apposition and fusion of
the male and female pronuclei at the egg center.  This revised
application is focused on two central questions:  how is motility
regulated?; and how are microtubules organized at fertilization?  Seven
questions will be posed about the regulation of egg-mediated motility
during fertilization and the dynamics of microtubule organization:  1.
Are phosphorylation and dephosphorylation necessary for egg-mediated
motility during fertilization, and is the first cell cycle regulated
differently than later cell cyles?  This will be performed by
localizing phosphorylated epitopes, and investigating the effects of
kinase and phosphatase inhibition on motility.  2.  What are the
temporal and spatial patterns of the intracellular calcium release at
fertilization, and is there a requirement for increased nuclear
calcium?  Confocal calcium ion detection provides improved imaging of
the fertilization transient, and the effects of regionally blocking the
newly discovered increase in nuclear calcium will be explored by
reversible chelation.  3.  Is the increase in centrosome size observed
during fertilization dependent on newly synthesized proteins?  The
impact of arresting protein synthesis on the centrosome will be
studied.  4.  Is the centrosome contributed exclusively by the sperm,
and is its apparent size due to an unfurling of compact material?  The
paternal contribution to centrosome volume will be investigated during
polyspermy by quantitative confocal laser scanning microscopy.  5.  Is
the bulk of the centrosomal material maternally-derived and attracted
to the sperm during fertilization?  This will be tested by studying
centrosome behavior during polyspermy, fertilization of egg fragments,
artificial activation, parthenogenesis, refertilization and
fertilization after artificial activation.  6.  Is the centrosome cycle
regulated similarly to the chromosome cycle?  The possibility of
uncoupling the two cycles with disulfide-reducing agents, sulfhydryl
oxidizers, and protease inhibitors will be investigated.  7.  Is gamma-
tubulin the key microtubule organizing component of the centrosome and
is it paternally contributed at fertilization?  This will be explored
using a novel antibody to the conserved region of gamma-tubulin in
gametes during fertilization, parthenogenesis, and after microtubule
disruption.  By investigating the mechanisms leading to the union of
the parental genomes at fertilization, this research addresses a
central question in reproduction, and may contribute to new approaches
for treating infertility, designing contraceptive approaches, and for
the screening and avoidance of birth defects.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2196943
- **Project number:** 5R01HD012913-13
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LCLSJAGTNZQ7
- **Principal Investigator:** GERALD SCHATTEN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $106,785
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-08-01 → 1996-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2196943

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2196943, EGG-MEDIATED MOTILITY DURING FERTILIZATION (5R01HD012913-13). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2196943. Licensed CC0.

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