Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, 1997. B.S. Zoology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, 1997. The AR is necessary for the sperm to fertilize the egg in vivo.
Many cells undergo exocytosis including mast cells, pancreatic beta cells, and yeast.
In these systems, the Rho family of monomeric GTPases has been implicated in regulating exocytosis. From these studies, we hypothesized that a Rho GTPase may play a role in the AR, an exocytotic event. Recently, I have immunolocalized RhoA in porcine sperm. In washed sperm, RhoA can be seen as staining in the equatorial segment. As the sperm capacitates, staining shifts to the acrosomal cap.