# FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS AND PROTEOMICS TO REVEAL REPRODUCTIVE-TRACT SPECIFIC PROTEINS

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $396,250

## Abstract

SUMMARY
The overall goals of this proposal are to elucidate novel male reproductive tract-specific proteins through high
throughput transcriptomics and proteomics approaches, and to focus on the genetic analyses of five novel
genes with expression limited to the male reproductive tract. With the world population continuing its steep rise,
the need for effective and reversible non-hormonal methods of fertility control for men, such as those available
to women, is widely recognized. To date, hormonal male contraceptives have not been effective. Therefore,
identification of novel druggable targets in sperm and the male reproductive-tract are required to advance
development of male contraceptives. Despite significant advances in proteomics, a comprehensive human
sperm proteome has not been established. Likewise, despite extensive transcriptomic data published from
mouse and rat epididymal segments, few published datasets exist for human epididymis. As sperm progress
along the epididymal duct, they are bathed in a specialized luminal fluid microenvironment that is crucial for
their maturation and survival. Considering its essential role, the epididymis is a prime target for the
development of contraceptives for men. The proposed research is anticipated to lay the groundwork for future
development of male contraceptives against novel targets. Motile, mature sperm are essential for successful
fertilization and our overall hypothesis is that undiscovered druggable targets exist in the human male
reproductive tract that are critical for sperm maturation and function. Our specific aims are as follows: 1)
Perform transcriptomic analysis of human epididymal segments to identify novel epididymis-specific druggable
targets to interfere with sperm maturation; 2) Perform proteomic analysis of human sperm to identify novel
sperm-specific druggable targets for contraception; and 3) Apply CRISPR/Cas9 in mice to validate key sperm
or reproductive tract-specific proteins required for sperm function and/or fertilization. The end goal of the
proposed to work is to lead to the identification of additional novel targets for which an interdisciplinary team
will work toward. Our mechanistic studies will allow us to place these proteins into reproductive pathways and
simultaneously determine the utility of each of these proteins as a contraceptive target.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9910421
- **Project number:** 5R01HD095341-03
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Thomas Garcia
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $396,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9910421

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9910421, FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS AND PROTEOMICS TO REVEAL REPRODUCTIVE-TRACT SPECIFIC PROTEINS (5R01HD095341-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9910421. Licensed CC0.

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