# RNA-binding protein regulation of meiotic progression and sexual differentiation

> **NIH NIH F32** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2021 · $33,693

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Successful reproduction of all vertebrate species depends on the differentiation of germ cells
into two types of functional gametes: sperm and eggs. Thirty-seven percent of infertility cases are
due to female-factor infertility. While the underlying causes of human infertility are often unknown,
defects in germ cell sexual identity can lead to infertility and germ cell tumors. Despite its
importance to human health, the mechanisms regulating sex-specific germ cell identity and
differentiation, and therefore proper oocyte development, are unknown.
 Oogenesis is a precisely controlled process characterized by conserved periods of meiotic
activity, extended arrest, and oocyte growth. Before the first meiotic division the oocyte stops
producing new RNAs, therefore, oocytes rely heavily on post-transcriptional regulation of RNA.
RNA-binding proteins are the predominant post-transcriptional regulators that coordinate the
activation, silencing, and localization of RNAs. Therefore, identifying the targets of RNA binding
proteins, and determining their role in oocyte development will lead to a better understanding of
the mechanisms and molecular pathways that establish and maintain sex-specific germ cell
identity. We utilize zebrafish to identify genes crucial for proper oocyte development, female
gonad differentiation and ovary maintenance, and examine the mechanisms underlying
establishment and maintenance of germ cell identity. Identifying genes essential to these
processes may define new molecular pathways that, when defective, can result in infertility,
diminished ovarian reserve, premature ovarian insufficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome, or
reproductive cancers in humans. In this proposal, we use a combination of genetic loss of function
and overexpression approaches to investigate the mechanisms regulating germ cell identity, sex-
specific differentiation, and fertility.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10085996
- **Project number:** 5F32HD097898-02
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Shannon Romano
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $33,693
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-11-01 → 2022-04-09

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10085996

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10085996, RNA-binding protein regulation of meiotic progression and sexual differentiation (5F32HD097898-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10085996. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*