scholarly journals The molecular basis of mouse sperm–zona pellucida binding: a still unresolved issue in developmental biology

Reproduction ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary F Clark
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Specific Model ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Potent Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Alternate Model ◽  
Sperm Plasma Membrane

During murine fertilization, sperm bind to the specialized extracellular matrix of the egg, known as the zona pellucida (ZP). This matrix is composed of three major glycoproteins designated ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3. Three models for sperm–ZP binding are now under consideration. The domain-specific model posits that adhesion relies primarily on interactions between N-glycans located within the C-terminal domain of ZP3 and a lectin-like egg-binding protein in the sperm plasma membrane. However, this model does not explain recent results obtained in studies with ZP2mut mice. In the supramolecular structure model, sperm bind to a three-dimensional zona matrix that depends on the cleavage status of ZP2. This paradigm does not explain the potent inhibitory effect of specific carbohydrate sequences or a C-terminal glycopeptide (gp55) derived from ZP3. Recently, O-glycans linked at Thr155 and Thr162 of ZP3 were implicated as potential ligands that mediate initial sperm–ZP binding. This novel model will be reviewed. A major challenge is to develop an alternate model for sperm–ZP binding that fits as much of the data as possible. Such a model is presented in this review. This paradigm could explain how the inability to cleave ZP2mut in ZP2mut mice could result in continued sperm binding to two-cell stage embryos without the formation of a supramolecular binding complex. These novel insights should guide future experiments that will eventually determine the molecular basis underlying gamete binding in the mouse and other eutherian mammals.

scholarly journals Insights into the molecular basis of sperm–egg recognition in mammals

Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (4) ◽  
pp. 417-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya Hoodbhoy ◽  
Jurrien Dean
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Egg Recognition ◽  
Three Dimensional Structure ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Single Protein

The zona pellucida surrounding the egg and pre-implantation embryo is required for in vivo fertility and early development. Explanatory models of sperm–egg recognition need to take into account the ability of sperm to bind to ovulated eggs, but not to two-cell embryos. For the last two decades, investigators have sought to identify an individual protein or carbohydrate side chain as the ‘sperm receptor’. However, recent genetic data in mice are more consistent with the three-dimensional structure of the zona pellucida, rather than a single protein (or carbohydrate), determining sperm binding. The mouse and human zonae pellucidae contain three glycoproteins (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3) and, following fertilization, ZP2 is proteolytically cleaved. The replacement of endogenous mouse proteins with human ZP2, ZP3 or both does not alter taxon specificity of sperm binding or prevent fertility. Surprisingly, human ZP2 is not cleaved following fertilization and intact ZP2 correlates with persistent sperm binding to two-cell embryos. Taken together, these data support a model in which the cleavage status of ZP2 modulates the three-dimensional structure of the zona pellucida and determines whether sperm bind (uncleaved) or do not (cleaved).

scholarly journals Human ZP4 is not sufficient for taxon-specific sperm recognition of the zona pellucida in transgenic mice

Reproduction ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Yauger ◽  
Nathan A Boggs ◽  
Jurrien Dean
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Protein Isoforms ◽  
Egg Recognition ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Human Fertilization ◽  
Gamete Recognition ◽  
Mouse Eggs

The molecular basis of human fertilization remains enigmatic. Mouse models are often used to study sperm–egg recognition, but the mouse zona pellucida surrounding ovulated eggs contains three proteins (ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3) whereas the human zona contains four (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4). Human sperm are fastidious and recognize human but not mouse eggs. Transgenic mouse lines were established to ascertain whether human ZP4 is the sole determinant of human sperm binding. Human ZP4 expressed in transgenic mice had a molecular mass similar to the range of native protein isoforms and was incorporated into the extracellular zona matrix. Transgenic females were fertile with normal litter sizes. Mouse sperm readily recognized transgenic ovulated eggs, but human sperm did not. We conclude that human ZP4 is not sufficient to support human sperm binding to the zona pellucida in transgenic mice and that other zona proteins may be needed for human gamete recognition.

Human ZP3 restores fertility in Zp3 null mice without affecting order-specific sperm binding

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (13) ◽  
pp. 2415-2424 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.L. Rankin ◽  
Z.B. Tong ◽  
P.E. Castle ◽  
E. Lee ◽  
R. Gore-Langton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Apparent Mass ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Mammalian Fertilization ◽  
Vitro Data ◽  
In Vitro Data

The mammalian zona pellucida surrounding ovulated eggs mediates sperm binding at fertilization, provides a postfertilization block to polyspermy, and facilitates passage of pre-implantation embryos down the oviduct. Although the three zona proteins (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3) are well conserved, mammalian fertilization is relatively specific and human sperm do not bind to the mouse zona pellucida. There are considerable in vitro data that ZP3 acts as a primary sperm adhesion molecule in mice and, by analogy, a similar role has been postulated for human ZP3. Genetically altered mice lacking ZP3 (Zp3(tm/tm)) do not form a zona pellucida and are infertile. To rescue this phenotype, transgenic mice expressing human ZP3 (67% identical to mouse ZP3) were produced and bred with Zp3(tm/tm) null mice. The resultant human ZP3 rescue females had chimeric zonae pellucidae composed of mouse ZP1, mouse ZP2 and human ZP3. Human ZP3 expressed in mouse oocytes had an apparent mass (64 kDa) indistinguishable from native human ZP3 and distinct from mouse ZP3 (83 kDa). Despite the presence of human ZP3, human sperm did not bind to the chimeric zona pellucida, and notwithstanding the absence of mouse ZP3, mouse sperm bound to ovulated eggs in vitro and fertility was restored in vivo. These data have implications regarding the molecular basis of mouse and human sperm binding to their respective zonae pellucidae.

Differences between antigenic determinants of pig and cat zona pellucida proteins

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Jewgenow ◽  
M Rohleder ◽  
I Wegner
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Antigenic Determinants ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Contraceptive Vaccine ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Dependent Inhibition ◽  
Dose Dependent Inhibition ◽  
Dose Dependent

Despite many efforts, the control of reproduction in feral cat populations is still a problem in urban regions around the world. Immunocontraception is a promising approach; thus the present study examined the suitability of the widely used pig zona pellucida proteins (pZP) for contraception in feral domestic cats. Purified zona pellucida proteins obtained from pig and cat ovaries were used to produce highly specific antisera in rabbits. Antibodies against pZP raised in rabbits or lions were not effective inhibitors of either in vitro sperm binding (cat spermatozoa to cat oocytes) or in vitro fertilization in cats, whereas antibodies against feline zona pellucida proteins (fZP) raised in rabbits showed a dose-dependent inhibition of in vitro fertilization. Immunoelectrophoresis, ELISA and immunohistology of ovaries confirmed these results, showing crossreactivity of anti-fZP sera to fZP and to a lesser extent to pZP, but no interaction of anti-pZP sera with fZP. It is concluded that cat and pig zonae pellucidae express a very small number of shared antigenic determinants, making the use of pZP vaccine in cats questionable. A contraceptive vaccine based on feline zona pellucida determinants will be a better choice for the control of reproduction in feral cats if immunogenity can be achieved.

scholarly journals Aquatic Toxicity of Photocatalyst Nanoparticles to Green Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Cristina Adochite ◽  
Luminita Andronic
Keyword(s):  
Chlorella Vulgaris ◽  
Advanced Oxidation Process ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Aquatic Toxicity ◽  
Basal Medium ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
Potent Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Density Surface ◽  
The Impact

In the last years, nanoparticles such as TiO2, ZnO, NiO, CuO and Fe2O3 were mainly used in wastewater applications. In addition to the positive aspects concerning using nanoparticles in the advanced oxidation process of wastewater containing pollutants, the impact of these nanoparticles on the environment must also be investigated. The toxicity of nanoparticles is generally investigated by the nanomaterials’ effect on green algae, especially on Chlorella vulgaris. In this review, several aspects are reviewed: the Chlorella vulgaris culture monitoring and growth parameters, the effect of different nanoparticles on Chlorella vulgaris, the toxicity of photocatalyst nanoparticles, and the mechanism of photocatalyst during oxidative stress on the photosynthetic mechanism of Chlorella vulgaris. The Bold basal medium (BBM) is generally recognized as an excellent standard cultivation medium for Chlorella vulgaris in the known environmental conditions such as temperature in the range 20–30 °C and light intensity of around 150 μE·m2·s−1 under a 16/8 h light/dark cycle. The nanoparticles synthesis methods influence the particle size, morphology, density, surface area to generate growth inhibition and further algal deaths at the nanoparticle-dependent concentration. Moreover, the results revealed that nanoparticles caused a more potent inhibitory effect on microalgal growth and severely disrupted algal cells’ membranes.

scholarly journals An Anti-Inflammatory 2,4-Cyclized-3,4-Secospongian Diterpenoid and Furanoterpene-Related Metabolites of a Marine Sponge Spongia sp. from the Red Sea

Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Chi-Jen Tai ◽  
Chiung-Yao Huang ◽  
Atallah F. Ahmed ◽  
Raha S. Orfali ◽  
Walied M. Alarif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Superoxide Anion ◽  
Dermal Fibroblast ◽  
Fibroblast Cell ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Human Dermal Fibroblast ◽  
Superoxide Anion Generation ◽  
Potent Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
New Compounds

Chemical investigation of a Red Sea Spongia sp. led to the isolation of four new compounds, i.e., 17-dehydroxysponalactone (1), a carboxylic acid, spongiafuranic acid A (2), one hydroxamic acid, spongiafuranohydroxamic acid A (3), and a furanyl trinorsesterpenoid 16-epi-irciformonin G (4), along with three known metabolites (−)-sponalisolide B (5), 18-nor- 3,17-dihydroxy-spongia-3,13(16),14-trien-2-one (6), and cholesta-7-ene-3β,5α-diol-6-one (7). The biosynthetic pathway for the molecular skeleton of 1 and related compounds was postulated for the first time. Anti-inflammatory activity of these metabolites to inhibit superoxide anion generation and elastase release in N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLF/CB)-induced human neutrophil cells and cytotoxicity of these compounds toward three cancer cell lines and one human dermal fibroblast cell line were assayed. Compound 1 was found to significantly reduce the superoxide anion generation and elastase release at a concentration of 10 μM, and compound 5 was also found to display strong inhibitory activity against superoxide anion generation at the same concentration. Due to the noncytotoxic activity and the potent inhibitory effect toward the superoxide anion generation and elastase release, 1 and 5 can be considered to be promising anti-inflammatory agents.

scholarly journals Calcium-free vitrification reduces cryoprotectant-induced zona pellucida hardening and increases fertilization rates in mouse oocytes

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark G Larman ◽  
Courtney B Sheehan ◽  
David K Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Ethylene Glycol ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Initial Increase ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Free Treatment ◽  
Zona Hardening ◽  
Free Media ◽  
Oocyte Freezing

Despite the success of embryo cyropreservation, routine oocyte freezing has proved elusive with only around 200 children born since the first reported birth in 1986. The reason for the poor efficiency is unclear, but evidence of zona pellucida hardening following oocyte freezing indicates that current protocols affect oocyte physiology. Here we report that two cryoprotectants commonly used in vitrification procedures, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol, cause a large transient increase in intracellular calcium concentration in mouse metaphase II (MII) oocytes comparable to the initial increase triggered at fertilization. Removal of extracellular calcium from the medium failed to affect the response exacted by DMSO challenge, but significantly reduced the ethylene glycol-induced calcium increase. These results suggest that the source of the DMSO-induced calcium increase is solely from the internal calcium pool, as opposed to ethylene glycol that causes an influx of calcium across the plasma membrane from the external medium. By carrying out vitrification in calcium-free media, it was found that zona hardening is significantly reduced and subsequent fertilization and development to the two-cell stage significantly increased. Furthermore, such calcium-free treatment appears not to affect the embryo adversely, as shown by development rates to the blastocyst stage and cell number/allocation. Since zona hardening is one of the early activation events normally triggered by the sperm-induced calcium increases observed at fertilization, it is possible that other processes are negatively affected by the calcium rise caused by cryoprotectants used during oocyte freezing, which might explain the current poor efficiency of this technique.

Sperm binding to the human zona pellucida and calcium influx in response to GnRH and progesterone

Andrologia ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Morales ◽  
E. Pizarro ◽  
M. Kong ◽  
C. Pasten
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Calcium Influx ◽  
Sperm Binding

scholarly journals Glycodelin-A interacts with fucosyltransferase on human sperm plasma membrane to inhibit spermatozoa-zona pellucida binding

2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. N. Chiu ◽  
M.-K. Chung ◽  
R. Koistinen ◽  
H. Koistinen ◽  
M. Seppala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Sperm Plasma Membrane ◽  
Glycodelin A
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