Project description
Mapping the role of protein in oocyte health
Oocytes are long-lived cells that remain dormant for decades and transfer cytoplasm to developing embryos, which is crucial for fertility. They have low protein turnover, retaining many extremely long-lived proteins (ELLPs). However, the role of these proteins in oocyte health is unclear. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ProteOOcyte project will map ELLPs formed during oocyte development and their role in oocyte health. It will use mass spectrometry and fluorescent imaging to analyse these proteins and their regulation. Additionally, the project will explore ELLP functionality through genetic perturbation. This research will deepen our understanding of protein quality control in oocytes and its implications for age-related decline and female infertility.
Objective
Oocytes form during embryonic development and persist in a dormant state for decades, representing some of the longest-lived cells in our body. As oocytes transfer their cytoplasm to the early embryo and the next generation, the regulation of its quality serves as a unique evolutionary strategy to preserve cellular longevity and fertility. Protein turnover is essential for replacing damaged molecules with their functional copies since long lifespans expose proteins to damage accumulation, including age-related post-translational modifications (PTMs). Recent data show that oocytes have low protein turnover rates, suggesting they retain many extremely long-lived proteins (ELLPs). How these ELLPs are stabilized and contribute to oocyte health remains unknown. With this innovative action, I aim to map ELLPs that emerge during oocyte formation and persist throughout its lifetime, characterize the molecular mechanisms by which they are regulated, and functionally assess their role in preserving oocyte quality. I will combine longitudinal labeling-based mass spectrometry with fluorescent imaging to characterize and quantify oocytes’ ELL proteomes and study their regulation by measuring PTMs. I will then combine an oocyte in vitro differentiation protocol with a genetic perturbation screen to investigate ELLP function by selectively and timely perturbing them, determining whether their long-live nature is essential for oocyte quality. Female infertility is one of the biggest societal challenges of our time. Over one in four fertility problems are unexplained, highlighting a significant knowledge gap in female reproduction. This project will provide new insights into the mechanisms by which mammalian oocytes regulate protein homeostasis. Its relevance transcends reproductive biology, filling a critical gap in our understanding of protein quality control mechanisms in non-dividing cells and providing new angles to interpret age-related deterioration and female infertility.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins proteomics
- social sciences sociology demography fertility
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
08003 Barcelona
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.