Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging
About This Grant
ABSTRACT Across species, reproduction and immunity compete for limited physiological resources—a trade-off that becomes increasingly consequential with age, as both reproductive capacity and immune competence decline. In mammals, proteins that mediate these relationships to coordinate reproductive investment, immune regulation, and somatic maintenance are scarcely defined. This presents a critical gap in our understanding of reproductive aging and age-related disease susceptibility. This proposal investigates whether the C. elegans protein TCER-1, an established regulator of the fertility–immunity–longevity axis, has a conserved functional homolog in mammals. We previously identified TCER-1 as a pro-longevity factor that maintains fertility with age by suppressing immune and stress responses. Its homolog in Arabidopsis also promotes fertility and represses immunity, and our collaborative studies reveal a similar role for the Drosophila TCER-1 in repressing stress resistance, highlighting conserved trade-off regulation across kingdoms. TCER-1 is homologous to the mammalian transcription elongation and splicing factor, TCERG1, which has been linked to human disease in GWAS studies, though it’s in vivo function remains uncharacterized. This proposal is based on our preliminary data showing that (i) worm and mammalian TCERG1 both regulate alternative splicing of immune-related genes, and importantly (ii) mouse and human TCERG1 are enriched in germ-cells and exhibit a major age-related decline in female oocytes. In this exploratory proposal, we aim to assess whether human or mouse TCERG1 can functionally replace TCER-1 in C. elegans (Aim 1) and to define the role of mouse TCERG1 in fertility, ovarian reserve and reproductive aging by using existing and newly generated knockout models (Aim 2). By uncovering a potentially conserved molecular regulator of physiological trade-offs, this project aims to illuminate how reproductive aging shapes immune function and broader somatic aging, and to lay the groundwork for future interventions that support reproductive health in aging individuals.
Grant Summary
Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging is a NIA - National Institute on Aging grant providing up to $454K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2028-04-30 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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How to Apply
Up to $454K
2028-04-30
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging from NIA - National Institute on Aging, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NIA - National Institute on Aging before the deadline.
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Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging?
Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging is offered by NIA - National Institute on Aging and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging provide?
Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging provides up to $454K per award from NIA - National Institute on Aging. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging deadline?
Applications for Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging are due 2028-04-30 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NIA - National Institute on Aging, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging?
To apply for Cross-Species Roles of TCER-1/TCERG1 in Fertility and Reproductive Aging, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NIA - National Institute on Aging.