Expression of α6 integrin subunit in bovine oocyte and its potential role during fertilization

Roseli Fernandes Gonçalves,Cássia Maria Barroso Orlandi,Ricardo Pimenta Bertolla,Valquiria Hyppolito Barnabe

doi:10.4236/abb.2013.45081

Roseli Fernandes Gonçalves, Cássia Maria Barroso Orlandi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.4236/abb.2013.45081

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Abstract

Fertilization in mammals requires the successful completion of a sequence of steps, starting with the transport of gametes in the reproductive tract and ending with sperm-egg membrane fusion to produce a zygote. Although some integrin subunits are known to be associated with the plasma membrane of some mammalian oocytes and spermatozoa, the presence of α6 integrin on bovine oocytes with intact zona pellucida has not been reported. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the expression of α6 integrin subunit in bovine oocyte and to determine if in vitro binding to the zona pellucida and fertilization were affected by treating oocytes with α6 integrin subunit antibody. The α6 integrin subunit was identified on the bovine oocyte by immunocytochemistry. In vitro fertilization was significantly decreased when in vitro matured bovine oocytes were pre-incubated with α6 integrin subunit antibody at concentration 5 and 20 μg/mL, and spermoocyte binding increased. These studies demonstrated the presence of α6 integrin subunit on bovine oocyte, and its importance in fertilization and polyspermy.

Highlights

Fertilization process is a highly complex and orchestrated event in the series of cellular mechanisms that pass the genome from one generation to the and initiate development of a new organism
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the expression of α6 integrin subunit in bovine oocyte and to determine if in vitro binding to the zona pellucida and fertilization were affected by treating oocytes with α6 integrin subunit antibody
Expression of α6 integrin subunit could clearly be detected on the zona pellucida of in vitro matured bovine oocytes (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Fertilization process is a highly complex and orchestrated event in the series of cellular mechanisms that pass the genome from one generation to the and initiate development of a new organism. Fertilization is initiated by the direct interaction of sperm and egg membranes, a process mediated by gametes surface proteins [1]. Understanding the role in fertilization of gamete specific surface proteins and other surface proteins expressed, which both contribute to sperm-egg interactions is, at present, a pivotal area of research. Among the best characterized biomarkers for assessment of sperm-egg interactions are the integrins. Integrins are a family of heterodimeric cell adhesion molecules that mediate cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Integrins further attach to the cell, to the extracellular matrix and participate in cell migration [1]

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