# OVARIAN DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGES IN OVARIAN PROTEINS

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 1994 · $146,067

## Abstract

The mammalian zona pellucida (ZP) is the unique extracellular
glycoprotein matrix which is formed during the early stages of ovarian
follicular development and plays a critical role in the fertilization and
implantation processes.  The P.I. of this proposal has made advances in
analysis of ZP glycoproteins and has identified specific molecular probes
encoding the mRNA encoding rabbit ZP proteins.  These studies have shown
that the 55Kd rabbit ZP protein produced by expression of the cDNA will
elicit antibodies in cynomolgus monkeys and that these antibodies inhibit
homologous sperm binding to monkey ZP.  These studies have shown that
this protein has sperm receptor properties in the rabbit and studies by
other investigators have shown that the pig ZP sperm receptor is the
homologue of this rabbit 55Kd ZP protein.  Given these advances in the
molecular analysis of ZP proteins it is proposed to:

(1) Isolate the gene and a full length cDNA encoding the human homologue
of the rabbit 55 kDa sperm binding protein.  (2) Evaluate the functional
roles for the human homologue of the rabbit 55Kd ZP sperm receptor by:
(a) Expressing the full length cDNA in prokaryotic (non-glycosylated) and
eukaryotic (glycosylated) protein expression systems; and (b) Test the
expressed protein for: a) sperm receptor activity; and b) induction of
the sperm acrosome reaction.  (3) Carry out the structural and functional
analysis of the gene encoding the human homologue of the rabbit 55Kd
sperm receptor by determining the structure of the 5' and 3' regulatory
flanking regions of the genomic sequence.  (4) Use the human homologue
genomic clone isolated in Specific Aim I to study the regulation of the
transcription and expression of the human 55 kDa protein in vitro using
the transgenic mouse system.  In summary, these studies will allow us to
evaluate the function of the human homologue and to study the regulation
of transcription and expression of the gen encoding the message for this
protein.  They will also provide information on the expression of ZP
proteins during ovarian development which will be important in designing
a safe and effective contraceptive vaccine.  Because there is no animal
model for evaluating human sperm binding to the ZP the animal model
generated in these studies may further provide a source of recombinant
ZP protein as well as ZP for the clinical evaluate sperm in infertile
patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197474
- **Project number:** 2R01HD017543-07A5
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FXKMA43NTV21
- **Principal Investigator:** BONNIE S DUNBAR
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $146,067
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1983-09-01 → 1996-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197474

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197474, OVARIAN DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGES IN OVARIAN PROTEINS (2R01HD017543-07A5). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197474. Licensed CC0.

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