Date of Award
1-1-2013
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Arts (DA)
College/School/Department
Department of Biological Sciences
Content Description
1 online resource (xi, 219 pages) : illustrations (some color)
Dissertation/Thesis Chair
Caro-Beth Stewart
Committee Members
Richard Zitomer, Albert Millis, Jayanti Pande
Keywords
B1, 4-galactosyltransferase family, combinatorial, evolution, fertilization, lysozyme family, sperm-egg binding, Galactosyltransferases, Lysozyme, Sperm-ovum interactions, Mammals
Subject Categories
Biology
Abstract
Understanding the specificity of sperm-egg recognition during mammalian fertilization has been a topic of intense study for many years, and yet the biochemical basis for this process is still largely unknown. Mammalian eggs are covered by thick glycoprotein coats, called zona pellucida (ZP), which contain glycans of varying structures that must be specifically recognized, and presumably cleaved, for fertilization to occur. Various experiments have implicated B1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 (B4GalT1) in the ability of mouse sperm to bind the ZP. Here I present evidence that additional members of the B4GalT family (specifically B4GalT3 and B4GalT4) are present on mouse and rat sperm, suggesting that these paralogs of BGalT1 might also be involved in fertilization.
Recommended Citation
Biegel, Jason Michael, "Evolution and expression of the Lysozyme and beta1,4-Galactosyltransferase families in mammals : possible roles in fertilization" (2013). Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024). 834.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/legacy-etd/834