An investigation into the function of cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs) in male fertility and prostate cancer

Male fertility and reproductive health are major concerns in a modern society. Male infertility and prostate cancer can seriously affect life quality and life expectancy. This thesis focused on the roles of cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs) family proteins in male fertility and prostate cancer by using Crisp1 and Crisp4 double knockout (DKO) and Hi-MYC+Crisp3-/- mouse models. In the epididymis, CRISP1 and CRISP4 function cooperatively, and autonomously, in maintaining optimal sperm functions. CRISP3 plays a pro-tumorigenic role in prostate cancer, through modulation of key factors associated with cell-cell adhesion, thus promoting the transition from carcinoma in situ to invasive carcinoma