Mary Bello
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Jacob Mueller
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Human Genetics / Medicine
Program:
Authors: Mary Bello
Session: Session 3: 11:00 am – 11: 50 am
Poster: 20
Abstract
In mice, the nuclear export factor 1 (Nxf1) gene is primarily responsible for the export of mRNA from nucleus to the cytoplasm in all cells. Nxf1 has X-linked duplicates whose functions are largely unknown. One of these, nuclear export factor 2 (Nxf2), is expressed exclusively in male germ cells. Deletion of the Nxf2 RNA-binding domain results in decreased fertility (the ability to produce sperm and conceive viable offspring). This phenotype is dependent on the strain of the mice. It is not known what the Nfx2 gene does in male mice testes or the manner in which it affects fertility. Previously, our lab has demonstrated that the deletion of other genes have resulted in sex ratio distortion in the resulting offspring. We hypothesize that because the Nxf2 protein primarily localizes to the cytoplasm, which is shared between developing spermatids, Nxf2 may influence X- or Y-bearing spermatid transmission. To test this hypothesis, male Nxf2 mice were mated with CD1 females, a strain which gives birth to large litters of offspring. Litter sizes were recorded, and tails of each pup were genotyped via sex-specific PCR primers. To date, no sex distortion has been observed in the offspring. In further research, we will examine other mechanisms by which Nxf2 influences male fertility.
