# MAMMALIAN SPERM SURFACE ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTION

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCH OF MED/DNT · 1994 · $158,586

## Abstract

The long term goal of our research has been to understand the
relationship of sperm surface organization and sperm function.  In
previous work we identified two sperm surface proteins, PH-20 and PH-30,
that have a role in fertilization.  Here we propose to demonstrate their
precise function in fertilization nd relate this function to their domain
localization, surface density and lateral mobility on the sperm surface.

In Aim I we propose to determine the mechanisms responsible for formation
of sperm surface domains during spermatogenesis.  We will distinguish
between two possible mechanisms:  1) the time of expression of surface
proteins during spermatogenesis determines their domain localization; 2)
surface proteins contain sorting signals that target them to specific
domains.  (The sorting signal may be used for initial insertion into the
correct domain or removal from the "incorrect" domain).  We will also
analyze the later steps in creation of the anterior and posterior head
domains during sperm maturation in the epididymis.

In Aim II we present experiments to obtain direct evidence that PH-20 is
a sperm receptor for the zona pellucida.  We will also test the effect
of PH-20's surface density and lateral mobility on its adhesion activity,
define its adhesion partner in the zona and test if PH-20 in another
species (mouse) functions in sperm-zona binding.

We propose in Aim III to study the function of PH-30 which is comprised
of the subunits alpha and beta.  We will test two hypotheses:  PH-30
alpha functions in sperm-egg fusion and its putative fusion peptide is
a required active site; PH-30 beta functions in binding sperm to the egg
plasma membrane through its N-terminal disintegrin domain.  In addition,
we propose to identify PH-30 beta's adhesion partner (probably an
integrin) on the egg plasma membrane and to test if PH-30 is activated
for its role in fusion during epididymal passage, capacitation and/or the
acrosome reaction.

The importance of this work is that we will make progress in defining
both the cellular and molecular basis of the studied steps in
fertilization.  Furthermore, PH-20 and PH-30 are both under active
investigation as antigens for a birth control vaccine and expanded
understanding of their basic biology will be useful in that area.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197321
- **Project number:** 5R01HD016580-13
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCH OF MED/DNT
- **SAM.gov UEI:** H6D6JMXJXDE6
- **Principal Investigator:** Diana G Myles
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $158,586
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-09-01 → 1997-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197321

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197321, MAMMALIAN SPERM SURFACE ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTION (5R01HD016580-13). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197321. Licensed CC0.

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