Project Details
Description
The sperm cells must embark in a long journey to reach the oocyte and participate in fertilization.
Success in this endevour relies on the sperm's structure and function. Males manufacture
spermatozoa in the testes, followed by further processing in the epididymis, and this implies that:
(a) the sperm head carrying the nucleus is streamlined for hydrodynamic efficiency, (b) the nucleus
is compacted to favour reduction in size, (c) chromatin compaction occurs via histone replacement
and protamine (PRM) binding to DNA (they, in addition, undergo post-traslational modifications), (d)
DNA integrity is protected by chromatin compaction, minimizing damage from various factors, (e)
genes are silenced by protamine action and compaction, (f) sperm differentiation also includes
development of a flagellum for cell motion, (g) synchronization of head and flagellum formation with
harmonization and integration in the development of both components, (h) movement depends on
beat of the flagellum and energy (ATP) produced by glycolysis and respiration. Once in the female
tract, the sperm cell experiences additional changes in preparation for fertilization during which time
protection of DNA is paramount. After fertilization, protamines are removed and replaced by
histones, and DNA is repaired within the capacity of the oocyte, and sperm activates embryo
development. Protamines thus play crucial roles in the series of events ending in fertilization and
are also important for development and the wellbeing of the offspring. Characterizing and
understanding these roles, both with regards to their evolution and their function, would lead to a
better understanding of fertility and would allow for accurate diagnostic tests and better prognosis
and treatment, reliable predictive assessments of animal fertility and, finally, contribute to learn
about the impact of environmental factors and lifestyle on integrity of DNA and effects on future
generations.
Success in this endevour relies on the sperm's structure and function. Males manufacture
spermatozoa in the testes, followed by further processing in the epididymis, and this implies that:
(a) the sperm head carrying the nucleus is streamlined for hydrodynamic efficiency, (b) the nucleus
is compacted to favour reduction in size, (c) chromatin compaction occurs via histone replacement
and protamine (PRM) binding to DNA (they, in addition, undergo post-traslational modifications), (d)
DNA integrity is protected by chromatin compaction, minimizing damage from various factors, (e)
genes are silenced by protamine action and compaction, (f) sperm differentiation also includes
development of a flagellum for cell motion, (g) synchronization of head and flagellum formation with
harmonization and integration in the development of both components, (h) movement depends on
beat of the flagellum and energy (ATP) produced by glycolysis and respiration. Once in the female
tract, the sperm cell experiences additional changes in preparation for fertilization during which time
protection of DNA is paramount. After fertilization, protamines are removed and replaced by
histones, and DNA is repaired within the capacity of the oocyte, and sperm activates embryo
development. Protamines thus play crucial roles in the series of events ending in fertilization and
are also important for development and the wellbeing of the offspring. Characterizing and
understanding these roles, both with regards to their evolution and their function, would lead to a
better understanding of fertility and would allow for accurate diagnostic tests and better prognosis
and treatment, reliable predictive assessments of animal fertility and, finally, contribute to learn
about the impact of environmental factors and lifestyle on integrity of DNA and effects on future
generations.
General Objective
Adquirir conocimientos sobre la secuencia y evolución
regulatoria de las variantes de protamina (PRM1 y PRM2) en linajes euterios, con
especial atención a roedores, centrándose en la variación inter e intraespecífica, los
polimorfismos genéticos y la caracterización de modificaciones postraduccionales.
regulatoria de las variantes de protamina (PRM1 y PRM2) en linajes euterios, con
especial atención a roedores, centrándose en la variación inter e intraespecífica, los
polimorfismos genéticos y la caracterización de modificaciones postraduccionales.
Research Lines
Esta línea de investigación consiste en el estudio de los genes que codifican para la protamina 1
(PRM1) y la protamina 2 (PRM2), y su regulación, varían entre los mamíferos, pueden haber
coevolucionado, pero también pueden haber estado bajo diferentes presiones selectivas en
algunos linajes y, juntos o por separado, tienen un papel crucial en la compactación y protección
del ADN espermático y, de esta manera, afectan el rendimiento y la fertilidad de los
espermatozoides.
(PRM1) y la protamina 2 (PRM2), y su regulación, varían entre los mamíferos, pueden haber
coevolucionado, pero también pueden haber estado bajo diferentes presiones selectivas en
algunos linajes y, juntos o por separado, tienen un papel crucial en la compactación y protección
del ADN espermático y, de esta manera, afectan el rendimiento y la fertilidad de los
espermatozoides.
| Status | Finished |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 1/08/22 → 31/12/23 |
Keywords
- Evolutive Biology
- Reproduction
- physiology
- spermatozoa
Fingerprint
Explore the research topics touched on by this project. These labels are generated based on the underlying awards/grants. Together they form a unique fingerprint.