Michael G. O'Rand, Ph.D.

morand@med.unc.edu

Lab Personnel

Professor

• A.B., University of California, Berkeley
• M.S., Oregon State University, 1969
• Ph.D., Temple University
• Postdoc, University of Miami, 1972-75
• Joined the Department in 1979

Funding Sources

• National Institutes of Health

Research Interests

Fertilization leads to the formation of a new diploid individual and represents an exquisite example of the specificity of cell to cell and cell surface-extracellular matrix interaction. Our research laboratory is interested in the study of the structure and function of sperm proteins. The long-term goal of our research is to define a set of sperm molecules that are necessary for one or more steps in the fertilization process. A full understanding of the mechanisms of sperm maturation and fertilization would allow precise targets for both infertility diagnosis and contraception.

Currently, the structure and function of two different proteins are under study. These proteins are: 1) NASP a nuclear protein that binds and transports linker histones into the nucleus and is critical for mitosis and meiosis; 2) Eppin a testis and epididymal serine protease inhibitor.

Spermatozoa and coagulum of a human ejaculate

(A) Phase contrast image of the coagulum containing embedded spermatozoa. (B) Fluorescent microscope image of spermatozoa embedded in a coagulum stained with affinity purified anti-Eppin.

An important step in the development of tests for the diagnosis of infertility and for the development of a male gamete based contraceptive is the determination of specific protein-protein interactions that are necessary for fertilization. Characterization of these interactions will provide sites for contraceptive development.

Selected Publications

• O'Rand, M.G., Widgren, E.E., Sivashanmugam, P., Richardson, R.T., Hall, S.H., French, F.S., VandeVoort, C.A., Ramachandra, S.G., Ramesh, V., and Rao, A.J. 2004. Reversible Immunocontraception in Male Monkeys Immunized with Eppin. Science 306: 1189-1190.
• Alekseev, O.M., Widgren, E.E., Richardson, R.T., and O’Rand, M.G. 2005. Association of NASP with HSP90 in mouse spermatogenic cells: stimulation of ATPase activity and transport of linker histones into nuclei. J. Biol. Chem. 280: 2904-2911.
• Wang, Z., Widgren, E.E., Sivashanmugam, P., O’Rand, M.G., and Richardson, R.T. 2005. Association of Eppin with semenogelin on human spermatozoa. Biol. Reprod. 72 (4): 1064-1070. First published 8 Dec 2004; 10.1095/biolreprod. 104.036483.
• Alekseev, O.M., Richardson, R.T., Pope, M., and O'Rand, M.G. 2005. Mass Spectrometry Identification of NASP Binding Partners in HeLa Cells. PROTEINS: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics 61: 1-5.
• O’Rand, M.G., Widgren, E.E., Wang, Z., and Richardson, R.T. 2006. Eppin: An Effective Target for Male Contraception. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (in press, available online).
• Richardson, R.T., Alekseev, O., Alekseev, O. M., and O’Rand, M. G. 2006. Characterization of the NASP promoter in 3T3 fibroblasts and mouse spermatogenic cells. Gene (in press, available online).