PILOT--GAP JUNCTION INTRACELLULAR COMMUNICATION IN GONAD

$0U54FY2002HDNIH

Stanford University, Stanford CA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Paper 30900204 Paper 30701438 Paper 20103457 Paper 19752762 Paper 19433502 Paper 19208790 Paper 19111534 Paper 18772127 Paper 18463305 Paper 18382678 Paper 18342656 Paper 18292196 Paper 17959852 Paper 17881898 Paper 17629483 Paper 17611220 Paper 17510236 Paper 17376027 Paper 17258212 Paper 17124499 Paper 17118168 Paper 16762976 Paper 16449346 Paper 16418576 Paper 16306079 Paper 16229830 Paper 16195402 Paper 16169490 Paper 16054836 Paper 16051667 Paper 16049014 Paper 16034181 Paper 15967989 Paper 15666815 Paper 15639077 Paper 15613413 Paper 15583024 Paper 15541453 Paper 15494045 Paper 15483083 Paper 15462608 Paper 15459120 Paper 15371306 Paper 15347737 Paper 15254586 Paper 15238523 Paper 15131259 Paper 15059956 Paper 15039429 Paper 14974456 Paper 14726596 Paper 14684852 Paper 14660550 Paper 14626217 Paper 12917781 Paper 12859044 Paper 12810542 Paper 12798295 Paper 12657502 Paper 12574210 Paper 12488343 Paper 12374568 Paper 12372442 Paper 12193547 Paper 12151440 Paper 12135884 Paper 12050125 Paper 12021176 Paper 12021167 Paper 11994388 Paper 11988331 Paper 11988330 Paper 11988323 Paper 11949953 Paper 11773066 Paper 11604237 Paper 11420249 Paper 11420239 Paper 11344207 Paper 11133686 Paper 11014238 Paper 10976911 Paper 10965925 Paper 10965872 Paper 10946870 Paper 10809225 Paper 10782364 Paper 10650948 Paper 10642575

Abstract

Intercellular communication via gap junctions has been hypothesized to play an important role in gonad development and germ cell differentiation. Gap junctions between germ line and somatic cells are widely conserved features from worms, insects, to humans. Disruptions in gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) may underlie certain reproductive diseases in humans, such as gonadal failure, azoospermia, and ovulatory dysfunction. However, the role of gap junctions in mammalian gonad development and gametogenesis has been difficult to investigate due to the possible redundancy among the 15 connexin genes identified in mammals and due to the essential role of gap junctions in other organs. I have discovered a Drosophila melanogaster gene, zero population growth (zpg), which encodes a germ line specific gap junction protein (innexin) and is required for germ cell differentiation in both sexes. Subcellular localization of the zpg protein suggests a critical role for gap junctional communication between germ line and somatic cells in Drosophila. Preliminary observations also suggest that zpg function is required during gonad formation. In this pilot project, I propose to use the power of Drosophila system to explore the role of gap junctional communication between germ line and somatic cells during gonad formation and germ cell differentiation. Then, using insights gained from these studies, I propose to draw functional parallels between invertebrate and vertebrate system by a pilot study analysis gap junctional communication in gonad formation and early germ cell differentiation in human and murine fetal gonads. These pilot studies are likely to provide insights into mechanisms of the pathogenesis of gonadal dysgenesis and failure. Though beyond the scope of this proposal, the long term goal is to determine if GJIC dysfunction underlie human reproductive diseases.

View original record on NIH RePORTER →