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Investigating a novel role of ejaculate RNA in fertility

Award Number: R01HD112461
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/18/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2027

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Investigating a novel role of ejaculate RNA in fertility - PROJECT SUMMARY The male ejaculate of internally fertilizing organisms is a diverse mixture of components including sperm and numerous other macromolecules that are transferred to females during mating. Research on male contributions to fertility has mainly focused on sperm, and, more recently on proteins present in the seminal fluid. While these studies have greatly advanced our understanding of postcopulatory interactions, the relatively high incidence of idiopathic infertility suggests that investigation of understudied molecules in the ejaculate may yield novel insights into novel factors mediating reproductive outcomes. We previously discovered the transfer of RNA from males to females during copulation in Drosophila arizonae. In this proposal, we provide evidence gathered with funding from our recent R21 award demonstrating translation of male RNA transcripts within cells of the D. arizonae female reproductive tract. Building off this work, the goals of the proposed research are to establish functional effects of seminal fluid RNAs on the female postmating response (Aim 1), investigate how they function in females (Aim 2), and identify the source and mechanisms by which they are packaged in males (Aim 3). We capitalize on unique aspects of our D. arizonae/D. mojavensis study system that combine to make a genetically tractable, manipulative experimental system that is particularly well suited to investigate the function of male RNA within the female reproductive tract. With this powerful system we combine proteomic analyses using our recently developed Variant Assisted SILAC Proteomic Analysis (VASPA) approach with detailed investigations of individual mdFTPs (male-derived female translated proteins). Given that RNA appears to be a conserved feature of male ejaculates, we expect our findings will have broad significance for better understanding postcopulatory interactions across a range of species, including humans.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $625,024 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	3	5/28/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$625,024
														Subtotal = $625,024

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $681,292 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	2	7/1/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$681,292
														Subtotal = $681,292

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $609,158 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	001	1	9/5/2023	NEW	$0
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA	845 N PARK AVE RM 538	TUCSON	AZ	85721	PIMA	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	1	8/18/2023	NEW	$609,158
														Subtotal = $609,158

Grand Total All Awards = $1,915,474

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Investigating a novel role of ejaculate RNA in fertility

Award Number: R01HD112461

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/18/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2027

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