Characterization of Eppin (Epididymal protease inhibitor) gene expression in mice

• Grant number: 16/23025-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology
• Principal researcher: Erick José Ramo da Silva
• Grantee: Aline Contri Camara
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/08227-0 - A study on EPPIN as a drug target for male contraception: developing a new animal model to test the efficacy of male contraceptive drugs, AP.JP

Abstract

Several genes encoding proteins containing Kunitz and/or WFDC-type protease inhibitor domains have been described in the epididymis and other organs of the male reproductive tract. Our laboratory investigates the expression and function of the Eppin (Epididymal protease inhibitor) gene, which encodes a secretory protein containing Kunitz (N-terminal) and WFDC (C-terminal) type domains in its primary sequence. In mammals, EPPIN is secreted by Sertoli cells in the testis epithelial cells in the epididymis. Additionally, it is present on the surface of spermatozoa, where it modulates sperm motility, being a promising target for the development of male contraceptive drugs. In the present project, we propose to characterize the expression profile of the Eppin gene (mRNA and protein) in mice (Mus musculus) during different periods of postnatal life to expand our knowledge about EPPIN expression in this species. We will perform conventional RT-PCR and qPCR assays to investigate the expression of Eppin transcript and immunohistochemistry to evaluate a cellular distribution of the protein in samples of reproductive and non-reproductive organs of male mice of different ages (21, 40, 60 days, and 90 days). The results of this project are important for the development of an animal model to study functions of EPPIN and other members of this protein family in male reproductive tract. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MARIANI, NOEMIA A. P.; CAMARA, ALINE C.; SILVA, ALAN ANDREW S.; RAIMUNDO, TAMIRIS R. F.; ANDRADE, JULIANA J.; ANDRADE, ALEXANDRE D.; ROSSINI, BRUNO C.; MARINO, CELSO L.; KUSHIMA, HELIO; SANTOS, LUCILENE D.; et al. Epididymal protease inhibitor (EPPIN) is a protein hub for seminal vesicle-secreted protein SVS2 binding in mouse spermatozoa. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, v. 506, APR 15 2020. (17/11363-8, 16/23025-7, 15/08227-0)