# CHARACTERIZATION OF SPERM MEMBRANE AUTOANTIGENS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 1994 · $138,904

## Abstract

The long term goals of this research project are to define both
chemically and biologically a set of sperm molecules which are necessary
for one or more steps in the fertilization process. During the current
grant period emphasis has been placed on defining the biological
function of the rabbit sperm membrane autoantigen, RSA, as a zona
pellucida binding protein and on obtaining CDNA clones which would allow
further characterization of sperm autoantigenic sites and zona binding
proteins. To continue this line of investigation, this revised renewal
application will focus on four sperm molecules selected for study at the
molecular level with regard to their role in fertilization and zona
binding. Using the cyclic model as a working hypothesis, which was
developed during the current grant period and which is explained in
detail in Section C.4.(b).1-4, this proposal will specifically
investigate the mechanism by which spermatoza attach to and penetrate
(degrade) the zona pellucida. An understanding of the mechanism of
sperm-zona interaction would allow precise targets for both infertility
diagnosis and contraception. Therefore, this proposal's specific aims
are: I. The mechanism of action of three sperm molecules on binding to
and interacting with (degrading or releasing) the zona pellucida. I.1)
The molecular characterization of the rabbit sperm membrane autoantigen,
RSA, with regard to the amino acid sequences which specifically bind
zona pellucida. I.2) The molecular characterization of the role of the
sperm enzyme acrosin in zona binding. 3) The molecular characterization
of the role of the sperm enzyme arylsulfatase A in zona binding. II. The
isolation and biological characterization of a newly discovered sperm
nuclear autoantigenic protein (NASP), with regard to: (A) biological
function and (B) the amino acid sequences of autoantibody binding sites.
Molecular sites methodology will be used to characterize specific
sequences.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197076
- **Project number:** 5R01HD014232-14
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** D3LHU66KBLD5
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL GENE ORAND
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $138,904
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1992-02-01 → 1997-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197076

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197076, CHARACTERIZATION OF SPERM MEMBRANE AUTOANTIGENS (5R01HD014232-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197076. Licensed CC0.

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