George L. Gerton, PhD
Research Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Graduate Group Affiliations
Contact information
Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
421 Curie Blvd., 1311 Biomedical Research Bldg.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
421 Curie Blvd., 1311 Biomedical Research Bldg.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office: 215 573-4781
Fax: 215 573-7627
Fax: 215 573-7627
Email:
GERTON@MAIL.MED.UPENN.EDU
GERTON@MAIL.MED.UPENN.EDU
Publications
Education:
BA/honors (Biochemistry/Molecular Biology)
University of California at Santa Barbara, 1975.
PhD (Biochemistry)
University of California at Davis, Dissertation: “Glycoprotein and protein changes in the envelopes from Xenopus laevis eggs.” (Advisor: Jerry L. Hedrick, Ph.D.), 1980.
BA/honors (Biochemistry/Molecular Biology)
University of California at Santa Barbara, 1975.
PhD (Biochemistry)
University of California at Davis, Dissertation: “Glycoprotein and protein changes in the envelopes from Xenopus laevis eggs.” (Advisor: Jerry L. Hedrick, Ph.D.), 1980.
Links
Search PubMed for articles
Cell and Molecular Biology graduate group faculty webpage.
Description of research interests.
Permanent linkSearch PubMed for articles
Cell and Molecular Biology graduate group faculty webpage.
Description of research interests.
Description of Research Expertise
Research InterestsSpermatogenesis, Fertilization, Pre-implantation Mammalian Embryo Development
Key words: Spermatogenesis, Acrosome, Spermatid, Flagellum, Acrosomal matrix, Preimplantation, Embryo, Trophoblast.
Description of Research
The Gerton laboratory uses a multidisciplinary approach to examine issues pertaining to mammalian spermatogenesis, sperm function, and preimplantation embryo development. In addition, we are carrying out clinical studies directed toward improving the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancies.
Several of the major components of the acrosome and sperm tail have been purified and their corresponding cDNAs cloned for studies of protein structure and expression. The deduced amino acid sequences of these proteins have provided new clues concerning the functions of acrosomal and flagellar proteins. One major direction of the laboratory is to study acrosomal and flagellar protein targeting and function in spermatogenic cells and transfected somatic cells using tools of molecular biology and cell biology and to extend these studies to cases of infertility in humans and other species.
Other projects in the laboratory focus upon the functions of proteins identified as components of the sperm acrosome. Acrosomal matrix protein sp56 is involved in sperm-zona pellucida interactions. These studies are leading to a re-evaluation of acrosomal exocytosis. A revised paradigm has been developed that describes acrosomal exocytosis as a continuously variable process with functional intermediates rather a two-step, acrosome-intact/acrosome-reacted, process.
We are also continuing our analysis of the roles of proteins associated with the accessory structures of sperm flagellum. These non-axonemal proteins perform novel functions in regulating sperm motility.
Regarding preimplantation embryo development in mammals, we are studying the function of progranulin, the precursor of the granulin and epithelin peptides, on mouse embryos. Our results show that acrogranin is an essential growth factor for the development of embryos to the blastocyst stage.
Rotation Projects for 2006-2007
1. Identification of ligands bound by acrosomal matrix proteins.
2. Effect of recombinant progranulin on cultured somatic and embryonic cells.
3. Role of sp56 as a zona-binding protein (in vitro fertilization experiments).
4. Study the roles of adenine nucleotides (ATP, ADP, and AMP) in regulating sperm motility.
5. Examine the role of soluble adenylyl cyclase in enabling sperm to be capable of fertilization.
Lab personnel:
Mariano G. Buffone, Ph.D., Research Associate
Wenlei Cao, Ph.D., Senior Research Investigator
Takashi Ijiri, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher
Tanya Merdiushev, Laboratory Manager
Haig Aghajanian, Research Specialist
Angel Lin, Research Specialist
Selected Publications
Buffone Mariano G, Rodriguez-Miranda Esmeralda, Storey Bayard T, Gerton George L: Acrosomal exocytosis of mouse sperm progresses in a consistent direction in response to zona pellucida. Journal of Cellular Physiology 220(3): 611-20, Sep 2009.Kano Hiroki, Godoy Irene, Courtney Christine, Vetter Melissa R, Gerton George L, Ostertag Eric M, Kazazian Haig H: L1 retrotransposition occurs mainly in embryogenesis and creates somatic mosaicism. Genes & Development 23(11): 1303-12, Jun 2009.
Pan Jieyan, Eckardt Sigrid, Leu N Adrian, Buffone Mariano G, Zhou Jian, Gerton George L, McLaughlin K John, Wang Peijing Jeremy: Inactivation of Nxf2 causes defects in male meiosis and age-dependent depletion of spermatogonia. Developmental Biology 330(1): 167-74, Jun 2009.
Seeber B, Sammel MD, Fan X, Gerton GL, Shaunik A, Chittams J, Barnhart KT: Proteomic analysis of serum yields six candidate proteins that are differentially regulated in a subset of women with endometriosis. Fertility and Sterility Feb 2009.
Cao Wenlei, Aghajanian Haig K, Haig-Ladewig Lisa A, Gerton George L: Sorbitol can fuel mouse sperm motility and protein tyrosine phosphorylation via sorbitol dehydrogenase. Biology of Reproduction 80(1): 124-33, Jan 2009.
Rodríguez-Miranda Esmeralda, Buffone Mariano G, Edwards Scott E, Ord Teri S, Lin Kathleen, Sammel Mary D, Gerton George L, Moss Stuart B, Williams Carmen J: Extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate alters motility and improves the fertilizing capability of mouse sperm. Biology of Reproduction 79(1): 164-71, Jul 2008.
Buffone Mariano G, Zhuang Tiangang, Ord Teri S, Hui Ling, Moss Stuart B, Gerton George L: Recombinant mouse sperm ZP3-binding protein (ZP3R/sp56) forms a high order oligomer that binds eggs and inhibits mouse fertilization in vitro. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 283(18): 12438-45, May 2008.
Seeber Beata, Sammel Mary D, Fan Xuejun, Gerton George L, Shaunik Alka, Chittams Jesse, Barnhart Kurt T: Panel of markers can accurately predict endometriosis in a subset of patients. Fertility and Sterility 89(5): 1073-81, May 2008.
Cheng, Y, Buffone, MG, Kouadio, M, Goodheart, M, Page, DC, Gerton, GL, Davidson, I, Wang, PJ: Abnormal sperm in mice lacking the Taf7l (TBP-associated factor 7 like) gene. Mol Cell Biol 27(7):2582-9, Apr 2007.
Cao, W, Gerton, GL, and Moss SB: Proteomic profiling of accessory structures from the mouse sperm flagellum. Mol Cell Proteomics 5:801-810, May 2006.