Abstract
During the course of sperm-egg interaction in mice, zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP3 (⋍80 kDa) serves as both receptor for sperm ( J. D. Bleil and P. M. Wassarman, 1980c, Cell 20, 873–882 ) and inducer of the acrosome reaction ( J. D. Bleil and P. M. Wassarman, 1983, Dev. Biol. 95, 317–324) . In this investigation, small ZP3 glycopeptides (⋍1.5–6 kDa), obtained by extensive digestion of the purified glycoprotein with insoluble Pronase, were assayed for both sperm receptor and acrosome reaction-inducing activities. While ZP3 glycopeptides were virtually as effective as intact ZP3 in inhibiting binding of sperm to eggs in vitro (“receptor activity”), unlike intact ZP3, they failed to induce sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction. The latter was determined by indirect immunofluorescence using a monoclonal antibody directed against the acrosomal cap region of sperm. These results suggest that the sperm receptor activity of ZP3 is dependent only on its carbohydrate components, whereas acrosome reaction-inducing activity is dependent on the polypeptide chain of ZP3 as well.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
