Paul Primakoff, Ph.D.

Professor
214 Briggs Hall, Davis Campus
(530) 754-8128
e-mail

Graduate Group Affiliations

Cell and Developmental Biology

Research Interests

One goal of research in my lab is to uncover the mechanisms involved in sperm-egg fusion and the signaling that initiates mammalian development. We are analyzing the mechanism of cell-cell membrane fusion and the signal transduction pathway(s) activated by sperm-egg fusion in mice. We have identified a new gene family (ADAM family) of membrane proteins, several of which are present on the sperm plasma membrane and apparently bind to integrins on eggs.

A second goal of research in the lab is to develop novel contraceptive methods based on new knowledge in the cell biology of fertilization. The major focus is development of a birth control vaccine that induces an antibody response to sperm that blocks fertilization.

My research program involves a major collaboration with Professor Diana Myles in the Section for Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Representative Publications

Nishimura H, Cho C, Branciforte DR, Myles DG, Primakoff P. Analysis of loss of adhesive function in sperm lacking cyritestin or fertilin beta. Dev Biol. 2001 May 1;233(1):204-13.

Zhu GZ, Myles DG, Primakoff P. Testase 1 (ADAM 24) a plasma membrane-anchored sperm protease implicated in sperm function during epididymal maturation or fertilization. J Cell Sci. 2001 May;114(Pt 9):1787-94.

Correa LM, Cho C, Myles DG, Primakoff P. A role for a TIMP-3-sensitive, Zn(2+)-dependent metalloprotease in mammalian gamete membrane fusion. Dev Biol. 2000 Sep 1;225(1):124-34.