Margaret Cylkowski
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Jacob Mueller
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Human Genetics / Medicine
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 5 – 3:40pm – 4:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Margaret Cylkowski, Eden Dulka, Jacob Mueller
Presenter: 32
Abstract
Slx and Slxl1 are neofunctionalized X-linked gene families expressed in post-meiotic testicular germ cells that are thought to be essential for male fertility. Previous studies demonstrated that these genes play a role in chromatin modification and affect the sex ratio of offspring. RNAseq data from mice lacking Slx (Slx? mice) show that the Werner (Wrn) gene is downregulated in the absence of Slx. It is unknown, however, if Slx mechanistically regulates WrN and if a lack of WrN could mimic the loss of Slx. To ascertain if Slx? mice and Werner mutant mice (Wrn-/-) may exhibit similar reproductive phenotypes, we compared sperm morphology of Slx? and Wrn-/-, mice to ascertain whether or not the Slx and Wrn genes may play similar roles in spermatogenesis. Sperm was collected from Slx? and Wrn-/- mice via dissection of the cauda and subsequently stained with DAPI. Sperm heads were imaged using CellSens software and then analyzed using previously published Nuclear Morphology software. Our data indicate that Slx? and WrN-/- mice present with similar sperm morphology, suggesting Slx and WrN may have similar functions in the process of spermatogenesis.
Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary, Natural/Life Sciences
