Gene Expression of EFHC1
Gene expression analyses observe the amount of protein synthesized by cells in response to specific stimuli. This could be in response to drug treatment, gene knockout, or any number of other manipulations. Gene expression data is important for understanding protein function, as having an understanding of when and where the protein is synthesized gives insight to its interactions and importance. The Gene Expression Omnibus is an international public archive of data from high throughput genomic experiments conducted by the global research community. The GEO gives important information in the analyses of protein and can help users find protein function in many cell types and conditions.
ResultsThe GEO was used to find information for EFHC1 protein. While many studies included expression data for EFHC1, most were not relevant to my research or did not show any significant changes in response to the stimuli. However, one experiment showed EFHC1 results that gave me important insight into my project. Displayed in Image 1 are the results of an EFHC1 micro-assay experiment of sperm cells [1]. The pink and red bars represent expression levels of EFHC1 in the sperm cells of normal individuals on the left, and individuals with teratozoospermia on the right. Teratozoospermia is a condition of irregular morphology of sperm cells affecting fertility in males.
|
|
Analysis
This experiment's results indicate increased expression of EFHC1 in the sperm cells of individuals with malfunctioning spermatogenesis. Because EFHC1 has been found at high levels in sperm cells [2] likely due to the high levels of microtubule structures within, this experiment is insightful. The increased levels of EFHC1 expression in irregular sperm cells could be the cell's attempt to create a functional motility ability. The increased levels could also be due to an error in protein expression in the teratozoospermia state. Further research into EFHC1's involvement in the dysfunctional sperm cells could help to provide more insight into EFHC1's importance within spermatogenesis.
This experiment's results indicate increased expression of EFHC1 in the sperm cells of individuals with malfunctioning spermatogenesis. Because EFHC1 has been found at high levels in sperm cells [2] likely due to the high levels of microtubule structures within, this experiment is insightful. The increased levels of EFHC1 expression in irregular sperm cells could be the cell's attempt to create a functional motility ability. The increased levels could also be due to an error in protein expression in the teratozoospermia state. Further research into EFHC1's involvement in the dysfunctional sperm cells could help to provide more insight into EFHC1's importance within spermatogenesis.
References:
[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/tools/profileGraph.cgi?ID=GDS2697:231026_at
[2] King, Stephen. Axonemal Protofilament Ribbons, DM10 Domains, and the Link to Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton. Volume 63. 2006. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1002/cm.20129/asset/20129_ftp.pdf?v=1&t=hturpcy2&s=ac620ef3194976e78700d12e0d250a790d2c6f20
Image 1: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/tools/profileGraph.cgi?ID=GDS2697:231026_at