Recent News:

Sperm Research

In our investigations, genomic and proteomic strategies are used to identify and analyze the activities of novel epididymal proteins. Our overall goal is to develop a better understanding of the functions of the epididymis and its role in the molecular processes that result in sperm maturation. We have identified epididymis-specific expressed sequences in the database of Human Genome Sciences, Inc (Rockville, MD) and in an epididymis-specific Macaca mulatta cDNA library. The efficacy of epididymal proteins as male contraceptive targets is being tested. We are also interested in androgen receptor action in the epididymis and in the networks of genes regulated by androgens in different regions of the epididymis. The mechanisms underlying region-specific androgen-regulated gene expression are not well understood, but novel insights may emerge from microarray analyses.

Host defense of the male reproductive tract is another major focus of our work. During the expansion of the defensin gene family at the time of mammalian radiation, a large number of defensin genes accumulated that are expressed primarily in the male reproductive tract. Is this entire arsenal needed primarily to protect against the variety of pathogens that assaults us? Or have male tract defensins evolved to perform functions other than direct killing such as promoting sperm maturation as suggested by the presence of several defensins on the surface of sperm? We want to understand the processes of evolution, the driving forces and their actions on male tract defensins in order to understand the consequent properties these proteins have acquired.
 

	Dr. Suresh Naidu Yenugu Analyzes the regulation of defensin gene expression and the mechanisms that mediate bacterial killing by defensins and other antimicrobial proteins. * Assistant Professor Department of Animal Sciences University of Hyderabad Hyderabad - 500 046, INDIA Phone: 91-40-23134579 (office) Fax: 91-40-23010120 http://www.uohyd.ernet.in/academic/school_study/sciences/Suresh_Y.pdf http://172.16.1.100/academic/school_study/sciences/Y_Suresh.pdf http://www.geocities.com/ysnaidu/suresh.html Email:
	Yashwanth Radhakrishnan yash@med.unc.edu Studies the expression and evolution of defensins and analyzes the functionality of their interactions with other proteins in the male reproductive tract. * Phone: 919-966-1142

The following data files provide supplementary information for:
Comparative Genomic Analysis of a Mammalian ß - Defensin Gene Cluster Yashwanth Radhakrishnan, Mario A. Fares, Frank S. French and Susan H. Hall, 2007 Biology of Reproduction

The following data files are in Mega format:
Datafile 1, Datafile 2, Datafile 3, Datafile 4

The following data files are in Excel format:
Datafile 5, Datafile 6

The following data files are in Powerpoint format:
Datafile 7, Datafile 8

Data associated with the manuscript: Radhakrishnan Y, Hamil KG, Yenugu S, Young SL, French FS, Hall SH. 2005. Identification, characterization and evolution of a primate beta-defensin gene cluster. Genes Immun 6:

The following data files are in Mega format. They can be opened and further analyzed in MEGA, (Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis) software available at: http://www.megasoftware.net/mega3/mega.html.

Datafile1.meg The aligned macaque and human beta defensin cDNA sequences
Datafile2.meg The aligned first exon macaque and human beta defensin cDNA sequences
Datafile3.meg The aligned second exon macaque and human beta defensin cDNA sequences
Datafile4.meg The full length beta defensin sequences of human and macaque aligned with Epinephelus coioides reproductive regulator (rr1)

If you are using a PC please use the "save file" or "save link target as" command by right clicking the link.

If you are using Netscape on a Mac hold down your mouse button over the link and select the "save link target as" command.  If you are using Internet Explorer hold down your mouse button over the link and select "download link to disk".  Please email Susan Hall if you have questions or difficulty downloading files.

The Laboratories for Reproductive Biology
CB #7500
3340 Medical Biomolecular Research Building
103 Mason Farm Road
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, NC 27599
919-966-5159 - FAX: 919-966-2203

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