# SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AT FERTILIZATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCH OF MED/DNT · 1994 · $109,969

## Abstract

To investigate the signals that pass from the sperm to the egg to initiate
development, the function of G-proteins and G-protein-linked receptors in
the egg membrane will be examined.  The specific aims are:  1) To identify
and characterize G-protein alpha-subunits in eggs and embryos.  2) To
investigate how closely G-protein stimulation mimics events at
fertilization.  3) To investigate the effects of inhibiting G-protein
function in eggs, as well as in oocytes and embryos.  4) To determine if G-
proteins are activated at fertilization.  5) To investigate the functions
of G-protein-linked receptors in eggs, as well as in oocytes and embryos.
The experimental design and methods include immunoblotting of egg membranes
with G-protein-specific antibodies, measurements of calcium transients and
calcium-mediated ion channel opening, microinjection of antibodies against
particular G-proteins, use of azido-anilido-GTP to detect G-protein
activation, and expression in eggs of mRNAs encoding G-protein-linked
receptors.  The significance of this work to the study of human development
is that the cell biological principles we discover in our work with
echinoderms and amphibians will form a basis for future studies of mammals.
This basic science background may ultimately find applications to practical
problems such as contraception and infertility.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197144
- **Project number:** 5R01HD014939-13
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCH OF MED/DNT
- **SAM.gov UEI:** H6D6JMXJXDE6
- **Principal Investigator:** LAURINDA A. JAFFE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $109,969
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-03-01 → 1996-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197144

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197144, SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AT FERTILIZATION (5R01HD014939-13). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197144. Licensed CC0.

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