RESEARCH INTERESTS
Fertilization, sperm-egg interaction, sperm capacitation, sperm membranes, epididymis, vaginal and cervical epithelial cells, sulfoglycolipids, lipidomics, lipid rafts, proteomics, glycolipid-protein interaction, antimicrobial peptides, HIV-1, proprotein convertase, contraceptive development, biomarkers for sperm functions, reproductive toxicology, reproductive aging
OVERALL DIRECTIONS
For the past two decades, our research studies have geared towards the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sperm-egg interaction. Our ultimate goal is to have our basic science results translated into development of non-hormonal contraceptives and biomarkers of gamete fertilizing ability. Since the delivery of these contraceptives are likely most effective in the vagina, we are targeting molecules that would also contain anti-sexually transmitted disease (i.e., microbicidal and virucidal) activities. Our second line of research has therefore been initiated in more recent years to study: 1. the relationship between sperm and antimicrobial peptides (readily existing in the reproductive tract as part of the innate immunity system), and 2. the transmission mechanisms of HIV-1 and other microbes through vaginal and cervical epithelial cells.
Kongmanas K, Kruevaisayawan H, Saewu A, Sugeng C, Fernandes J, Souda P, Angel JB, Faull KF,
Aitken RJ, Whitelegge J, Hardy D, Berger T, Baker M, and Tanphaichitr
N. Proteomic
Characterization of Pig Sperm Anterior Head Plasma Membrane Reveals Roles of Acrosomal Proteins in
ZP3 Binding. J Cell Physiol Jul 30,2014.
doi: 10.1002/jcp.24728. [Epub ahead of print |
Srakaew N, Young CD, Sae-wu A, Xu H, Quesnel KL,
diBrisco R, Kongmanas K, Fongmoon D, Hommalai G, Weerachatyanukul W, Hall SH,
Zhang Y-L, Panza L, Franchini L, Compostella F, Pearson TW, Hancock RE, Oko RJ,
Hermo LS, and Tanphaichitr N.
Antimicrobial host defence peptide, LL-37, as a potential vaginal
contraceptive. Human Reprod 2014,
29:683-96, doi: 10.1093/humrep/deu018,
Xu H, Kongmanas K, Kadunganattil S, Smith CE, Rupar T,
Goto-Inoue N, Hermo L, Faull KF, Tanphaichitr N. Arylsulfatase A deficiency results in
lyosomal storage disorder in Sertoli cells and male subfertility. J Lipid Res. 2011 Dec;52(12):2187-97.
Featuring the cover page.
Bou Khalil M,
Chakrabandhu K, Weerachatyanukul W, Xu H, Vuong N, Buhr M, Berger T,
Kumarathasan P, Carmona E, Wong PTT, Carrier D and Tanphaichitr N. Pig sperm rafts have zona pellucida binding
ability and contain the mammalian male germ cell specific sulfogalactosylglycerolipid.
Dev. Biol. 2006; 290:220-235.
Carmona E, Weerachatyanukul W, Soboloff T, Fluharty AL, Shite D, Promdee
L, Ekker M, Berger T, Buhr M, and Tanphaichitr N. Arylsulfatase A is present on the pig sperm
surface and is involved in sperm-zona pellucida binding. Devel. Biol. 2002;
247:182-196.
