Reproduction Research
Membrane proteins are the most successful class of therapeutic targets. Creative Biolabs has developed a comprehensive collection of membrane protein in vitro assays for drug discovery that cover most membrane protein targets.
Creative Biolabs has the assays you can rely on for high throughput screening, lead optimization, characterizing and discovering targets, and uncovering the complexity of disease pathways. We can offer membrane protein in vitro assay kits that save valuable laboratory time and is ideal for high throughput screening.
Membrane protein stable cell lines are widely used in many areas of biomedical research. Creative Biolabs can offer membrane protein stable cell lines to stablish in vitro models for High Throughput Screening.
Creative Biolabs' membrane preparations are useful for membrane protein research. We offer membrane preparations to study the role of membrane proteins in diseases. Membrane preparations from Creative Biolabs are quality-assured frozen membranes from cells expressing recombinant or natural receptors.
Creative Biolabs offers high-quality, innovative tools to help research groups accelerate membrane protein drug discovery. They can be found by targets. If there is no product that meets your needs, please contact us.
Though numerous studies have been conducted on reproduction, there is still much that scientists do not know. In recent years, however, there has been significant progress in understanding reproduction and developing treatments and cures for related conditions. For example, researchers have made great strides in understanding how the reproductive system works and how various hormones affect fertility. In addition, new technologies have allowed scientists to better study reproduction at the cellular level. As a result of this research, new treatments and cures for conditions like infertility and ectopic pregnancy are being developed. Though much work still needs to be done, the progress that has been made in reproduction research is promising and offers hope for those who are struggling with reproductive issues.
Membrane Proteins in Reproductive Research
Membrane proteins play a vital role in reproduction, making them an important target for research aimed at developing new treatments and cures for reproductive disorders such as Fertilization problems, gynecologic cancers, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. There are three main types of membrane proteins: receptors, channels, and pumps. By better understanding how these proteins work, scientists can develop more effective treatments for reproductive disorders.
Fig.1 Schematic of mammalian gametes and the different stages of fertilization. (Bianchi & Wright, 2020)
- Fertilization
Fertilization is the union of two haploid cells – the egg and sperm – to create a new diploid organism that ensures the propagation of genetic information from one generation to the next.
CRISPR technologies have led to the recent and remarkable identification of 4 new sperm proteins essential for mammalian fertilization. They are three membrane-anchored proteins, FIMP, SPACA6, and TMEM95, and a predicted secreted protein, SOF1. SPACA6 is a type I transmembrane protein with a short cytoplasmic C-terminus and an immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain amid its extracellular regions. TMEM95, FIMP, and SOF1 are small proteins expressed in the testis. The heterologous cells overexpressing IZUMO1 can efficiently adhere to eggs, a property that is not shared by any of the new candidates. This suggests they have little or no role in sperm-egg recognition.
Fig.2 Cell surface proteins required for fertilization in mammals. (Bianchi & Wright, 2020)
- Uterine Fibroids
Uterine Fibroids are the most common tumor of the female reproductive tract, with symptomatic prevalence rates as high as 70-80% in women of reproductive age. Most women with uterine fibroids experience no symptoms and require no treatment. However, a small minority of women with uterine fibroids suffer from severe symptoms that can profoundly impact their quality of life.
Recent research has yielded important new insights into the role of membrane proteins in uterine fibroid development and progression. One primary focus of this research has been the study of HMGA (High-mobility proteins containing the 'AT-hook' DNA-binding motif) proteins, including membrane protein FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor 2). Research has shown that FGF2 protein expression had a significant positive correlation with the uterine fibroid tumor. Therefore, these researchers remained that HGM2 proteins such as FGF2 may be a potential treatment target.
Fig.3 Vasculature and embolization of a uterine fibroid. (Bulman, et al., 2012)
References
- Bianchi, E.; Wright, G.J. Find and fuse: unsolved mysteries in sperm-egg recognition. PLOS Biology. 2020, 18(11): e3000953.
- Bulman, J.C.; et al. Current concepts in uterine fibroid embolization. Radiographics. 2012, 32(6): 1735-50.
