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Gao L, Zhang Z, Zheng X, Wang F, Deng Y, Zhang Q, Wang G, Zhang Y, Liu X. The Novel Role of Zfp296 in Mammalian Embryonic Genome Activation as an H3K9me3 Modulator. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11377. [PMID: 37511136 PMCID: PMC10379624 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The changes in epigenetic modifications during early embryonic development significantly impact mammalian embryonic genome activation (EGA) and are species-conserved to some degree. Here, we reanalyzed the published RNA-Seq of human, mouse, and goat early embryos and found that Zfp296 (zinc finger protein 296) expression was higher at the EGA stage than at the oocyte stage in all three species (adjusted p-value < 0.05 |log2(foldchange)| ≥ 1). Subsequently, we found that Zfp296 was conserved across human, mouse, goat, sheep, pig, and bovine embryos. In addition, we identified that ZFP296 interacts with the epigenetic regulators KDM5B, SMARCA4, DNMT1, DNMT3B, HP1β, and UHRF1. The Cys2-His2(C2H2) zinc finger domain TYPE2 TYPE3 domains of ZFP296 co-regulated the modification level of the trimethylation of lysine 9 on the histone H3 protein subunit (H3K9me3). According to ChIP-seq analysis, ZFP296 was also enriched in Trim28, Suv39h1, Setdb1, Kdm4a, and Ehmt2 in the mESC genome. Then, knockdown of the expression of Zfp296 at the late zygote of the mouse led to the early developmental arrest of the mouse embryos and failure resulting from a decrease in H3K9me3. Together, our results reveal that Zfp296 is an H3K9me3 modulator which is essential to the embryonic genome activation of mouse embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Livestock, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Zihan Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Livestock, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Xiaoman Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Livestock, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Fan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Livestock, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Yi Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Livestock, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Livestock, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Guoyan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Livestock, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Livestock, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Xu Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Livestock, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
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2
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Kashyap P, Solanki S, Datta TK, Kumar R. Buffalo sperm membrane glycan-binding proteins reveal precise and preferential binding signatures with specific glycans targets on oviduct epithelium and zona pellucida-an implication in fertilization. Theriogenology 2023; 207:96-109. [PMID: 37271105 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Sperm membrane glycan-binding proteins (lectins) interact with the counterpart glycans in the oviduct, oocytes, and vice-versa. It has already been well known that specific glycans are present on oviductal epithelium and zona pellucida (ZP) in different mammalian species. Some of these glycans are necessary for oviductal sperm reservoir formation and gamete recognition. The specific binding phenomenon of lectin-glycans is one of the vital factors for successful fertilization in mammals. We hypothesized that buffalo sperm membrane glycan-binding proteins have specific glycan targets in the oviduct and ZP supporting the fertilization event. In the present investigation, sperm membrane proteins were extracted and assessed for their binding capacity with glycans using a high-throughput glycan microarray. The most promising glycan binding signals were evaluated to confirm the sperm putative receptors for glycan targets in the oviductal epithelial cells (OEC) and on ZP using an in-vitro competitive binding inhibition assay. Based on an array of 100 glycans, we found that N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), Lewis-a trisaccharide, 3'-sialyllactosamine and LacdiNAc were the most promising glycans and selected for further in-vitro validation. We established an inhibitory concentration of 12 mM Lewis-a trisaccharide and 10 μg/ml Lotus tetragonolobus (LTL) lectin for the sperm-OEC binding interaction, indicating its specificity and sensitivity. We observed that 3 mM 3'-sialyllactosamine, and LacdiNAc were the most competitive inhibitory concentration in sperm-ZP binding, suggesting a specific and abundance-dependent binding affinity. The competitive binding affinity of Maackia amurensis (MAA) lectin with Neu5Ac(α2-3)Gal(β1-4)GlcNAc further supports the abundance of 3'-sialyllactosamine on ZP responsible for sperm binding. Our findings develop the strong evidence on buffalo sperm putative receptors underlying their locking specificities with Lewis-a trisaccharide in oviduct and 3'-sialyllactosamine on ZP. The functional interaction of buffalo sperm lectins with the target glycans in OEC and ZP appears to be accomplished in an abundance-dependent manner, facilitating the fertilization event in buffaloes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Kashyap
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Subhash Solanki
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Tirtha Kumar Datta
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
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3
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The stallion sperm acrosome: Considerations from a research and clinical perspective. Theriogenology 2023; 196:121-149. [PMID: 36413868 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
During the fertilization process, the interaction between the sperm and the oocyte is mediated by a process known as acrosomal exocytosis (AE). Although the role of the sperm acrosome on fertilization has been studied extensively over the last 70 years, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that govern acrosomal function, particularly in species other than mice or humans. Even though subfertility due to acrosomal dysfunction is less common in large animals than in humans, the evaluation of sperm acrosomal function should be considered not only as a complementary but a routine test when individuals are selected for breeding potential. This certainly holds true for stallions, which might display lower levels of fertility in the face of "acceptable" sperm quality parameters determined by conventional sperm assays. Nowadays, the use of high throughput technologies such as flow cytometry or mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis is commonplace in the research arena. Such techniques can also be implemented in clinical scenarios of males with "idiopathic" subfertility. The current review focuses on the sperm acrosome, with particular emphasis on the stallion. We aim to describe the physiological events that lead to the acrosome formation within the testis, the role of very specific acrosomal proteins during AE, the methods to study the occurrence of AE under in vitro conditions, and the potential use of molecular biology techniques to discover new markers of acrosomal function and subfertility associated with acrosomal dysfunction in stallions.
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4
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Magerd S, Senarai T, Thongsum O, Chawiwithaya C, Sato C, Kitajima K, Weerachatyanukul W, Asuvapongpatana S, Surinlert P. Shrimp thrombospondin (TSP): presence of O-β1,4 N-acetylglucosamine polymers and its function in TSP chain association in egg extracellular matrix. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7925. [PMID: 35562392 PMCID: PMC9106747 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11873-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We characterized the existence of O-β(1,4)-GlcNAc polymers (β1,4GNP) that were anchored on the O-linked glycosylation sites of shrimp thrombospondin (pmTSP-II). There were five putative β1,4GNP linkages on the epithelial growth factor-like domain of pmTSP-II. Antibody against O-β-GlcNAc (CTD110.6) was used to prove the existence of linear and complex β1,4GNP. The antibody well reacted with linear chito-triose, -tetraose and -pentaose conjugated with phosphatidylethanolamine lipid. The immunoreactivity could also be detected with a complex β1,4GNP within pmTSP-II (at MW > 250 kDa). Upon denaturing the protein with SDS-PAGE buffer, the size of pmTSP-II was shifted to be 250 kDa, approximately 2.5 folds larger than the deduced molecular mass of pmTSP-II (110 kDa), suggesting additional association of pmTSP-II apart from its known disulfide bridging. This was confirmed by chitinase digestion on pmTSP-II protein leading to the subsequent smaller protein bands at 110–170 kDa in time- and concentration-dependent manners. These bands well reacted with CTD110.6 antibody and disappeared after extensive chitinase hydrolysis. Together, we believe that β1,4GNP on pmTSP-II serve the function in an inter-chain association to provide structural architecture of egg extracellular matrix, a novel function of pmTSP-II in reproductive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirilug Magerd
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanyaporn Senarai
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Orawan Thongsum
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Chihiro Sato
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center and Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ken Kitajima
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center and Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | | | - Piyaporn Surinlert
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum-Thani, Thailand. .,Research Unit in Synthesis and Applications of Graphene, Thammasat University, Pathum-Thani, Thailand.
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5
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Dilimulati K, Orita M, Yonahara Y, Imai FL, Yonezawa N. Identification of Sperm-Binding Sites in the N-Terminal Domain of Bovine Egg Coat Glycoprotein ZP4. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020762. [PMID: 35054946 PMCID: PMC8775842 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The species-selective interaction between sperm and egg at the beginning of mammalian fertilisation is partly mediated by a transparent envelope called the zona pellucida (ZP). The ZP is composed of three or four glycoproteins (ZP1-ZP4). The functions of the three proteins present in mice (ZP1-ZP3) have been extensively studied. However, the biological role of ZP4, which was found in all other mammals studied so far, has remained largely unknown. Previously, by developing a solid support assay system, we showed that ZP4 exhibits sperm-binding activity in bovines and the N-terminal domain of bovine ZP4 (bZP4 ZP-N1 domain) is a sperm-binding region. Here, we show that bovine sperm bind to the bZP4 ZP-N1 domain in a species-selective manner and that N-glycosylation is not required for sperm-binding activity. Moreover, we identified three sites involved in sperm binding (site I: from Gln-41 to Pro-46, site II: from Leu-65 to Ser-68 and site III: from Thr-108 to Ile-123) in the bZP4 ZP-N1 domain using chimeric bovine/porcine and bovine/human ZP4 recombinant proteins. These results provide in vitro experimental evidence for the role of the bZP4 ZP-N1 domain in mediating sperm binding to the ZP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Dilimulati
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (K.D.); (M.O.); (F.L.I.)
| | - Misaki Orita
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (K.D.); (M.O.); (F.L.I.)
| | - Yoshiki Yonahara
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan;
| | - Fabiana Lica Imai
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (K.D.); (M.O.); (F.L.I.)
| | - Naoto Yonezawa
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (K.D.); (M.O.); (F.L.I.)
- Correspondence:
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6
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Wassarman PM, Litscher ES. Mouse zona pellucida proteins as receptors for binding of sperm to eggs. TRENDS IN DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2022; 15:1-13. [PMID: 36776744 PMCID: PMC9910581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization in mammals is initiated by species-restricted binding of free-swimming sperm to the unfertilized egg's thick extracellular matrix, the zona pellucida (ZP). Both acrosome-intact and acrosome-reacted sperm can bind to the ZP, but only the latter can penetrate the ZP, reach the egg's plasma membrane, and fuse with plasma membrane (fertilization) to produce a zygote. Following fertilization, the ZP is modified by cortical granule components such that acrosome-intact and acrosome-reacted sperm are unable to bind to fertilized eggs. Here we review some of the evidence that bears directly on the involvement of two mouse ZP proteins, mZP2 and mZP3, as receptors for binding of mouse sperm to unfertilized eggs and address some contentious issues surrounding this important initial step in the process of mammalian fertilization.
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7
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Chen H, Shi X, Li X, Diao R, Ma Q, Jin J, Qiu Z, Li C, Yu MK, Wang C, Li X, Li F, Chan DYL, Zhao AZ, Cai Z, Sun F, Fok KL. CD147 deficiency is associated with impairedsperm motility/acrosome reaction and offersa therapeutic target for asthenozoospermia. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 26:1374-1386. [PMID: 34900396 PMCID: PMC8626663 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Patients with asthenozoospermia often present multiple defects in sperm functions apart from a decrease in sperm motility. However, the etiological factors underlying these multifaceted defects remain mostly unexplored, which may lead to unnecessary treatment and unsatisfactory assisted reproductive technologies (ART) outcome. Here, we show that the protein levels of CD147 were lowered in sperm obtained from asthenozoospermic infertile patients exhibiting defects in both sperm motility and the acrosome reaction. Whereas CD147 maintained sperm motility before capacitation, female tract-derived soluble CD147 interacted with sperm-bound CD147 to induce an acrosome reaction in capacitated sperm. Soluble CD147 treatment restored the acrosome reaction and improved the fertility of sperm from patients with asthenozoospermia. Mechanistically, CD147 promotes sperm motility and acrosome reaction (AR) by eliciting Ca2+ influx through soluble CD147 binding to sperm-bound CD147. Notably, the level of soluble CD147 in seminal plasma was positively correlated with the fertilization rate and pregnancy outcome in infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization. Our study has identified a marker for the diagnosis and a therapeutic target for the defective AR capability in asthenozoospermia and a candidate for the prediction of in vitro fertilization outcomes for male infertile patients that facilitates the development of precision medicine in ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
- Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Corresponding author: Hao Chen, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
| | - Xiao Shi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Department of Clinical Medical Laboratory, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Ruiying Diao
- Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Qian Ma
- Department of Clinical Medical Laboratory, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Jing Jin
- Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhuolin Qiu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Cailing Li
- Department of Clinical Medical Laboratory, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Mei Kuen Yu
- Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chaoqun Wang
- Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xianxin Li
- Department of Clinical Medical Laboratory, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China
- Shenzhen Qianhai Taikang International Hospital, Shenzhen 518054, China
| | - Fanghong Li
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - David Yiu Leung Chan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Allan Zijian Zhao
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhiming Cai
- Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518035, China
- International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Kin Lam Fok
- Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Sichuan University—The Chinese University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Corresponding author: Kin Lam Fok, Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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8
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Rojas J, Hinostroza F, Vergara S, Pinto-Borguero I, Aguilera F, Fuentes R, Carvacho I. Knockin' on Egg's Door: Maternal Control of Egg Activation That Influences Cortical Granule Exocytosis in Animal Species. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:704867. [PMID: 34540828 PMCID: PMC8446563 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.704867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization by multiple sperm leads to lethal chromosomal number abnormalities, failed embryo development, and miscarriage. In some vertebrate and invertebrate eggs, the so-called cortical reaction contributes to their activation and prevents polyspermy during fertilization. This process involves biogenesis, redistribution, and subsequent accumulation of cortical granules (CGs) at the female gamete cortex during oogenesis. CGs are oocyte- and egg-specific secretory vesicles whose content is discharged during fertilization to block polyspermy. Here, we summarize the molecular mechanisms controlling critical aspects of CG biology prior to and after the gametes interaction. This allows to block polyspermy and provide protection to the developing embryo. We also examine how CGs form and are spatially redistributed during oogenesis. During egg activation, CG exocytosis (CGE) and content release are triggered by increases in intracellular calcium and relies on the function of maternally-loaded proteins. We also discuss how mutations in these factors impact CG dynamics, providing unprecedented models to investigate the genetic program executing fertilization. We further explore the phylogenetic distribution of maternal proteins and signaling pathways contributing to CGE and egg activation. We conclude that many important biological questions and genotype–phenotype relationships during fertilization remain unresolved, and therefore, novel molecular players of CG biology need to be discovered. Future functional and image-based studies are expected to elucidate the identity of genetic candidates and components of the molecular machinery involved in the egg activation. This, will open new therapeutic avenues for treating infertility in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Japhet Rojas
- Laboratorio Fisiología de la Reproducción, Departamento de Biología y Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile.,Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Fernando Hinostroza
- Laboratorio Fisiología de la Reproducción, Departamento de Biología y Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile.,Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule (CIEAM), Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile.,Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Sebastián Vergara
- Laboratorio Fisiología de la Reproducción, Departamento de Biología y Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile.,Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Ingrid Pinto-Borguero
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Felipe Aguilera
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ricardo Fuentes
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ingrid Carvacho
- Laboratorio Fisiología de la Reproducción, Departamento de Biología y Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
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9
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Duarte MA, Fernandes CR, Heckel G, da Luz Mathias M, Bastos-Silveira C. Variation and Selection in the Putative Sperm-Binding Region of ZP3 in Muroid Rodents: A Comparison between Cricetids and Murines. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12091450. [PMID: 34573431 PMCID: PMC8469249 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, the zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (ZP3) is considered a primary sperm receptor of the oocyte and is hypothesized to be involved in reproductive isolation. We investigated patterns of diversity and selection in the putative sperm-binding region (pSBR) of mouse ZP3 across Cricetidae and Murinae, two hyperdiverse taxonomic groups within muroid rodents. In murines, the pSBR is fairly conserved, in particular the serine-rich stretch containing the glycosylation sites proposed as essential for sperm binding. In contrast, cricetid amino acid sequences of the pSBR were much more variable and the serine-rich motif, typical of murines, was generally substantially modified. Overall, our results suggest a general lack of species specificity of the pSBR across the two muroid families. We document statistical evidence of positive selection acting on exons 6 and 7 of ZP3 and identified several amino acid sites that are likely targets of selection, with most positively selected sites falling within or adjacent to the pSBR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Alexandra Duarte
- Champalimaud Centre for the Uknown, Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
- Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua da Escola Politécnica, 58, Lisboa, 1250-102 Lisboa, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Centro de Estudos de Ambiente e Mar, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Carlos Rodríguez Fernandes
- cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.R.F.); (C.B.-S.)
- Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, 1649-013 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Gerald Heckel
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland;
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge-Batiment Amphipole, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maria da Luz Mathias
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Centro de Estudos de Ambiente e Mar, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristiane Bastos-Silveira
- cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.R.F.); (C.B.-S.)
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10
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Killingbeck EE, Wilburn DB, Merrihew GE, MacCoss MJ, Swanson WJ. Proteomics support the threespine stickleback egg coat as a protective oocyte envelope. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:500-515. [PMID: 34148267 PMCID: PMC8362008 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ancestrally marine threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) have undergone an adaptive radiation into freshwater environments throughout the Northern Hemisphere, creating an excellent model system for studying molecular adaptation and speciation. Ecological and behavioral factors have been suggested to underlie stickleback reproductive isolation and incipient speciation, but reproductive proteins mediating gamete recognition during fertilization have so far remained unexplored. To begin to investigate the contribution of reproductive proteins to stickleback reproductive isolation, we have characterized the stickleback egg coat proteome. We find that stickleback egg coats are comprised of homologs to the zona pellucida (ZP) proteins ZP1 and ZP3, as in other teleost fish. Our molecular evolutionary analyses indicate that across teleosts, ZP3 but not ZP1 has experienced positive Darwinian selection. Mammalian ZP3 is also rapidly evolving, and surprisingly some residues under selection in stickleback and mammalian ZP3 directly align. Despite broad homology, however, we find differences between mammalian and stickleback ZP proteins with respect to glycosylation, disulfide bonding, and sites of synthesis. Taken together, the changes we observe in stickleback ZP protein architecture suggest that the egg coats of stickleback fish, and perhaps fish more generally, have evolved to fulfill a more protective functional role than their mammalian counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Killingbeck
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Damien B Wilburn
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Gennifer E Merrihew
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael J MacCoss
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Willie J Swanson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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11
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Gupta SK. Human Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins: Binding Characteristics With Human Spermatozoa and Induction of Acrosome Reaction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:619868. [PMID: 33681199 PMCID: PMC7928326 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.619868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Human zona pellucida (ZP) matrix is composed of four glycoproteins designated as ZP glycoprotein -1 (ZP1), -2 (ZP2), -3 (ZP3), and -4 (ZP4). Mutations in the genes encoding human ZP glycoproteins are one of the causative factors leading to abnormal ZP matrix and infertility in women. Relevance of the human ZP glycoproteins in 'sperm-oocyte' binding has been delineated by using either transgenic animal models expressing human zona proteins or purified native/recombinant human zona proteins. Studies based on the purified native/recombinant human zona proteins revealed that ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 primarily bind to the capacitated acrosome-intact human spermatozoa whereas ZP2 binds to acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. On the contrary, human spermatozoa binds to the eggs obtained from transgenic mouse lines expressing human ZP2 but not to those expressing human ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 suggesting that ZP2 has an important role in human 'sperm-oocyte' binding. Further studies using transgenic mouse lines showed that the N-terminus of human ZP2 mediate the taxon-specific human sperm-oocyte binding. Both glycans and protein-protein interactions have a role in human gamete interaction. Further studies have revealed that the purified native/recombinant human ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 are competent to induce acrosome reaction. Human sperm binds to the mouse transgenic eggs expressing human ZP1-4 instead of mouse ZP1-3 proteins, penetrated the ZP matrix and accumulated in the perivitelline space, which were acrosome-reacted suggesting that human ZP2 in transgenic mouse model also induce acrosome reaction. In humans N-linked glycosylation of zona proteins have been shown to play an important role in induction of the acrosome reaction. Hence in humans, based on studies using transgenic mouse model as well as purified native/recombinant zona proteins, it is likely that more than one zona protein is involved in the 'sperm-oocyte' binding and induction of the acrosome reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Kumar Gupta
- Reproductive Cell Biology Lab, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
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12
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Carlisle JA, Swanson WJ. Molecular mechanisms and evolution of fertilization proteins. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2020; 336:652-665. [PMID: 33015976 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction involves a cascade of molecular interactions between the sperm and the egg culminating in cell-cell fusion. Vital steps mediating fertilization include chemoattraction of the sperm to the egg, induction of the sperm acrosome reaction, dissolution of the egg coat, and sperm-egg plasma membrane binding and fusion. Despite decades of research, only a handful of interacting gamete recognition proteins (GRPs) have been identified across taxa mediating each of these steps, most notably in abalone, sea urchins, and mammals. This review outlines and compares notable GRP pairs mediating sperm-egg recognition in these three significant model systems and discusses the molecular basis of species-specific fertilization driven by GRP function. In addition, we explore the evolutionary theory behind the rapid diversification of GRPs between species. In particular, we focus on how the coevolution between interacting sperm and egg proteins may contribute to the formation of boundaries to hybridization. Finally, we discuss how pairing structural information with evolutionary insights can improve our understanding of mechanisms of fertilization and their origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolie A Carlisle
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Willie J Swanson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington, USA
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13
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Fahrenkamp E, Algarra B, Jovine L. Mammalian egg coat modifications and the block to polyspermy. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:326-340. [PMID: 32003503 PMCID: PMC7155028 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization by more than one sperm causes polyploidy, a condition that is generally lethal to the embryo in the majority of animal species. To prevent this occurrence, eggs have developed a series of mechanisms that block polyspermy at the level of the plasma membrane or their extracellular coat. In this review, we first introduce the mammalian egg coat, the zona pellucida (ZP), and summarize what is currently known about its composition, structure, and biological functions. We then describe how this specialized extracellular matrix is modified by the contents of cortical granules (CG), secretory organelles that are exocytosed by the egg after gamete fusion. This process releases proteases, glycosidases, lectins and zinc onto the ZP, resulting in a series of changes in the properties of the egg coat that are collectively referred to as hardening. By drawing parallels with comparable modifications of the vitelline envelope of nonmammalian eggs, we discuss how CG‐dependent modifications of the ZP are thought to contribute to the block to polyspermy. Moreover, we argue for the importance of obtaining more information on the architecture of the ZP, as well as systematically investigating the many facets of ZP hardening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Fahrenkamp
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Blanca Algarra
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
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14
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D'Occhio MJ, Campanile G, Zicarelli L, Visintin JA, Baruselli PS. Adhesion molecules in gamete transport, fertilization, early embryonic development, and implantation-role in establishing a pregnancy in cattle: A review. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:206-222. [PMID: 31944459 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell adhesion molecules have critically important roles in the early events of reproduction including gamete transport, sperm-oocyte interaction, embryonic development, and implantation. Major adhesion molecules involved in reproduction include cadherins, integrins, and disintegrin and metalloprotease domain-containing (ADAM) proteins. ADAMs on the surface of sperm adhere to integrins on the oocyte in the initial stages of sperm-oocyte interaction and fusion. Cadherins act in early embryos to organize the inner cell mass and trophectoderm. The trophoblast and uterine endometrial epithelium variously express cadherins, integrins, trophinin, and selectin, which achieve apposition and attachment between the elongating conceptus and uterine epithelium before implantation. An overview of the major cell-cell adhesion molecules is presented and this is followed by examples of how adhesion molecules help shape early reproductive events. The argument is made that a deeper understanding of adhesion molecules and reproduction will inform new strategies that improve embryo survival and increase the efficiency of natural mating and assisted breeding in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J D'Occhio
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Campanile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Zicarelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - José A Visintin
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pietro S Baruselli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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15
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Bhakta HH, Refai FH, Avella MA. The molecular mechanisms mediating mammalian fertilization. Development 2019; 146:146/15/dev176966. [PMID: 31375552 DOI: 10.1242/dev.176966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization is a key biological process in which the egg and sperm must recognize one another and fuse to form a zygote. Although the process is a continuum, mammalian fertilization has been studied as a sequence of steps: sperm bind and penetrate through the zona pellucida of the egg, adhere to the egg plasma membrane and finally fuse with the egg. Following fusion, effective blocks to polyspermy ensure monospermic fertilization. Here, we review how recent advances obtained using genetically modified mouse lines bring new insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating mammalian fertilization. We discuss models for these processes and we include studies showing that these mechanisms may be conserved across different mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanisha H Bhakta
- Department of Biological Science, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA
| | - Fares H Refai
- Department of Biological Science, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA
| | - Matteo A Avella
- Department of Biological Science, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA
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16
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Okabe M. Sperm-egg interaction and fertilization: past, present, and future. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:134-146. [PMID: 29462236 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Fifty years have passed since the findings of capacitation and acrosome reaction. These discoveries and the extensive effort of researchers led to the success of in vitro fertilization, which has become a top choice for patients at infertility clinics today. The effort to understand the mechanism of fertilization is ongoing, but the small number of eggs and similarly small quantity of spermatozoa continue to hinder biochemical experiments. The emergence of transgenic animals and gene disruption techniques has had a significant effect on fertilization research. Factors considered important in the early years were shown not to be essential and were replaced by newly found proteins. However, there is much about sperm-egg interaction which remains to be learned before we can outline the mechanism of fertilization. In fact, our understanding of sperm-egg interaction is entering a new stage. Progress in transgenic spermatozoa helped us to observe the behavior of spermatozoa in vivo and/or at the moment of sperm-egg fusion. These advancements are discussed together with the paradigm-shifting research in related fields to help us picture the direction which fertilization research may take in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Okabe
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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17
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Qi P, Ren S, Tang Z, Guo B, Xia H. Expression of zona pellucida 3 gene is regulated by 17α-ethinylestradiol in adult topmouth culter Culter alburnus. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2018; 214:43-51. [PMID: 30189258 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen could lead to abnormal modulation or disruption of physical development, reproduction and sexual behavior in aquatic wildlife, especially in fish. Information on the toxicity of estrogens to native species in that can be used in site-specific risk assessments is scarce. In the present study, one zona pellucida 3 (ZP3) homologue termed CaZP3 was firstly identified from topmouth culter Culter alburnus, following its structural characteristics, tissue distribution and transcriptional modulation to 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) exposure were investigated. Meanwhile, vitellogenin (VTG) gene was employed to provide a comparison of the reactive ability to EE2 induction. The CaZP3 characterized with analogical functional domains such as ZP domain, SP, IHP, EHP, 12 cysteine residues, one N-linked glycosylation site and two conserved O-linked glycosylation sites and equal number of eight exons and seven introns with ZP3 counterparts of higher species. CaZP3 mRNA predominantly expressed in ovary, besides, highly expressed in female heart and male muscle and relatively high expressed in testis. CaZP3 has the lower reactive ability to EE2 induction in comparison with VTG, however, CaZP3 transcripts were significantly induced in gonads of both male and female culter by EE2 and could be used as an alternative biomarker to monitor EE2 activity. The present results supplement the database for toxicity of EE2, especially for fish species endemic to China and provide some useful information for the monitoring of EE2 activity in aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengzhi Qi
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhejiang, Zhoushan 316004, China.
| | - Shitai Ren
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhejiang, Zhoushan 316004, China
| | - Zurong Tang
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhejiang, Zhoushan 316004, China
| | - Baoying Guo
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhejiang, Zhoushan 316004, China
| | - Hu Xia
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Health Production of Fisheries in Hunan province, Hunan University of Arts and Science, Hunan, Changde 415000, China
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18
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Effects of Seven Consecutive Years of Porcine Zona Pellucida Contraception on Ovarian Function in Feral Mares1. Biol Reprod 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/52.monograph_series1.411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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19
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Heat stress responses in spermatozoa: Mechanisms and consequences for cattle fertility. Theriogenology 2018; 113:102-112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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20
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Okabe M. Beware of memes in the interpretation of your results – lessons from gene‐disrupted mice in fertilization research. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:2673-2679. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Okabe
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases Osaka University Suita Osaka Japan
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21
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Abstract
All animal oocytes are surrounded by a glycoproteinaceous egg coat, a specialized extracellular matrix that serves both structural and species-specific roles during fertilization. Egg coat glycoproteins polymerize into the extracellular matrix of the egg coat using a conserved protein-protein interaction module-the zona pellucida (ZP) domain-common to both vertebrates and invertebrates, suggesting that the basic structural features of egg coats have been conserved across hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Egg coat proteins, as with other proteins involved in reproduction, are frequently found to be rapidly evolving. Given that gamete compatibility must be maintained for the fitness of sexually reproducing organisms, this finding is somewhat paradoxical and suggests a role for adaptive diversification in reproductive protein evolution. Here we review the structure and function of metazoan egg coat proteins, with an emphasis on the potential role their evolution has played in the creation and maintenance of species boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Killingbeck
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
| | - Willie J Swanson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
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22
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Abstract
An ovulated egg of vertebrates is surrounded by unique extracellular matrix, the egg coat or zona pellucida, playing important roles in fertilization and early development. The vertebrate egg coat is composed of two to six zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins that are characterized by the evolutionarily conserved ZP-domain module and classified into six subfamilies based on phylogenetic analyses. Interestingly, investigations of biochemical and functional features of the ZP glycoproteins show that the roles of each ZP-glycoprotein family member in the egg-coat formation and the egg-sperm interactions seemingly vary across vertebrates. This might be one reason why comprehensive understandings of the molecular basis of either architecture or physiological functions of egg coat still remain elusive despite more than 3 decades of intensive investigations. In this chapter, an overview of avian egg focusing on the oogenesis are provided in the first section, and unique features of avian egg coat, i.e., perivitelline layer, including the morphology, biogenesis pathway, and physiological functions are discussed mainly on chicken and quail in terms of the characteristics of ZP glycoproteins in the following sections. In addition, these features of avian egg coat are compared to mammalian zona pellucida, from the viewpoint that the structural and functional varieties of ZP glycoproteins might be associated with the evolutionary adaptation to their reproductive strategies. By comparing the egg coat of birds and mammals whose reproductive strategies are largely different, new insights into the molecular mechanisms of vertebrate egg-sperm interactions might be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Okumura
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan.
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23
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Abstract
All mammalian eggs are surrounded by a highly specialized extracellular matrix (ECM), called the zona pellucida (ZP), that functions before, during, and after fertilization. Unlike somatic cell ECM the mouse ZP is composed of three different proteins, ZP1-3, that are synthesized and secreted by growing oocytes and assembled into long interconnected fibrils. ECM or vitelline envelope (VE) that surrounds fish, reptilian, amphibian, and avian eggs also consists of a limited number of proteins all closely related to ZP1-3. Messenger RNAs encoding ZP1-3 are expressed only by growing oocytes at very high levels from single-copy genes present on different chromosomes. Processing at the amino- and carboxy-termini of nascent ZP1-3 permits secretion of mature proteins into the extracellular space and assembly into fibrils and matrix. Structural features of nascent ZP proteins prevent assembly within secretory vesicles of growing oocytes. Homozygous knockout female mice that fail to synthesize either ZP2 or ZP3 are unable to construct a ZP, ovulate few if any eggs, and are infertile. ZP1-3 have a common structural feature, the ZP domain (ZPD), that has been conserved through 600 million years of evolution and is essential for ZP protein assembly into fibrils. The ZPD consists of two subdomains, each with four conserved cysteine residues present as two intramolecular disulfides, and resembles an immunoglobulin (Ig) domain found in a wide variety of proteins that have diverse functions, from receptors to mechanical transducers. ZP2 and ZP3 function as receptors for acrosome-reacted and acrosome-intact sperm, respectively, during fertilization of ovulated eggs, but are inactivated as sperm receptors as a result of fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Wassarman
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Eveline S Litscher
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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24
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Sankaranarayanan S, Higashiyama T. Capacitation in Plant and Animal Fertilization. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 23:129-139. [PMID: 29170007 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction relies on the successful fusion of the sperm and egg cell. Despite the vast differences between plants and animals, there are similarities at a molecular level between plant and animal reproduction. While the molecular basis of fertilization has been extensively studied in plants, the process of capacitation has received little attention until recently. Recent research has started to uncover the molecular basis of plant capacitation. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that the key molecules in plants and animal fertilization are functionally conserved. Here, we review new insights for our understanding of capacitation of pollen tube and fertilization in plants and also propose that there are commonalities in the process of sexual reproduction between plants and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subramanian Sankaranarayanan
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan.
| | - Tetsuya Higashiyama
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan; Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan.
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25
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Springate L, Frasier TR. Gamete compatibility genes in mammals: candidates, applications and a potential path forward. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170577. [PMID: 28878999 PMCID: PMC5579115 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization represents a critical stage in biology, where successful alleles of a previous generation are shuffled into new arrangements and subjected to the forces of selection in the next generation. Although much research has been conducted on how variation in morphological and behavioural traits lead to variation in fertilization patterns, surprisingly little is known about fertilization at a molecular level, and specifically about how genes expressed on the sperm and egg themselves influence fertilization patterns. In mammals, several genes have been identified whose products are expressed on either the sperm or the egg, and which influence the fertilization process, but the specific mechanisms are not yet known. Additionally, in 2014 an interacting pair of proteins was identified: 'Izumo' on the sperm, and 'Juno' on the egg. With the identification of these genes comes the first opportunity to understand the molecular aspects of fertilization in mammals, and to identify how the genetic characteristics of these genes influence fertilization patterns. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of fertilization and gamete compatibility in mammals, which should provide a helpful guide to researchers interested in untangling the molecular mechanisms of fertilization and the resulting impacts on population biology and evolutionary processes.
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26
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Huang H, Rodolis MT, Bhatia SR, Sampson NS. Sugars Require Rigid Multivalent Displays for Activation of Mouse Sperm Acrosomal Exocytosis. Biochemistry 2017; 56:2779-2786. [PMID: 28509550 PMCID: PMC5464008 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
As a prerequisite to mammalian fertilization, the sperm acrosomal vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane and the acrosome contents are exocytosed. Induction occurs through engagement of the sperm receptors by multiple sugar residues. Multivalent polymers displaying mannose, fucose, or GlcNAc are effective synthetic inducers of mouse sperm acrosomal exocytosis (AE). Each carbohydrate is proposed to have a distinct binding site on the sperm cell surface. To determine the role of the scaffold structure in the efficiency of AE induction, different polymer backbones were employed to display the different activating sugar residues. These glycopolymers were prepared by ruthenium-catalyzed ring-opening metathesis of 5-substituted norbornene or cyclooctene. The conformations of the glycopolymers were characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering. Polynorbornene displaying mannose, fucose, or GlcNAc forms flexible cylinders in aqueous solution. However, polycyclooctenes displaying any of these same sugars are much more flexible and form random coils. The flexible polycyclooctenes displaying fucose or GlcNAc were less effective inducers of AE than their norbornene counterparts. In contrast, polycyclooctene displaying mannose was the most effective AE inducer and had a more collapsed spherelike structure. Our results suggest that the AE efficacy of fucose, GlcNAc, and mannose polymers relies on a relatively rigid polymer that can stabilize receptor signaling complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony
Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Maria T. Rodolis
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony
Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Surita R. Bhatia
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony
Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Nicole S. Sampson
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony
Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
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27
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Swann CA, Cooper SJB, Breed WG. The egg coat zona pellucida 3 glycoprotein - evolution of its putative sperm-binding region in Old World murine rodents (Rodentia: Muridae). Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:2376-2386. [PMID: 28403915 DOI: 10.1071/rd16455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In eutherian mammals, before fertilisation can occur the spermatozoon has to bind to, and penetrate, the egg coat, the zona pellucida (ZP). In the laboratory mouse there is good evidence that the primary sperm-binding site is a protein region encoded by Exon 7 of the ZP3 gene and it has been proposed that binding is species specific and evolves by sexual selection. In the present study we investigate these hypotheses by comparing Exon 6 and 7 sequences of ZP3 in 28 species of murine rodents of eight different divisions from Asia, Africa and Australasia, in which a diverse array of sperm morphologies occurs. We found considerable nucleotide (and corresponding amino acid) sequence divergence in Exon 7, but not in Exon 6, across these species, with evidence for positive selection at five codon positions. This molecular divergence does not appear to be due to reinforcement to reduce hybridisation, nor does it correlate with divergence in sperm head morphology or tail length, thus it is unlikely to be driven by inter-male sperm competition. Other forms of post-copulatory sexual selection therefore appear to have resulted in the molecular divergence of this region of ZP3 in this highly speciose group of mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Swann
- Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Medical School, and Robinson Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Steven J B Cooper
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - William G Breed
- Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Medical School, and Robinson Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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Gao LL, Zhou CX, Zhang XL, Liu P, Jin Z, Zhu GY, Ma Y, Li J, Yang ZX, Zhang D. ZP3 is Required for Germinal Vesicle Breakdown in Mouse Oocyte Meiosis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41272. [PMID: 28145526 PMCID: PMC5286536 DOI: 10.1038/srep41272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
ZP3 is a principal component of the zona pellucida (ZP) of mammalian oocytes and is essential for normal fertility, and knockout of ZP3 causes complete infertility. ZP3 promotes fertilization by recognizing sperm binding and activating the acrosome reaction; however, additional cellular roles for ZP3 in mammalian oocytes have not been yet reported. In the current study, we found that ZP3 was strongly expressed in the nucleus during prophase and gradually translocated to the ZP. Knockdown of ZP3 by a specific siRNA dramatically inhibited germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) (marking the beginning of meiosis), significantly reducing the percentage of MII oocytes. To investigate the ZP3-mediated mechanisms governing GVBD, we identified potential ZP3-interacting proteins by immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. We identified Protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type K (Ptprk), Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein-like 1 (Aipl1), and Diaphanous related formin 2 (Diaph2) as potential candidates, and established a working model to explain how ZP3 affects GVBD. Finally, we provided preliminary evidence that ZP3 regulates Akt phosphorylation, lamin binding to the nuclear membrane via Aipl1, and organization of the actin cytoskeleton via Diaph2. These findings contribute to our understanding of a novel role played by ZP3 in GVBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei-Lei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chun-Xiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiao-Lan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Peng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zhen Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Gang-Yi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zhi-Xia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
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Ichikawa Y, Matsuzaki M, Mizushima S, Sasanami T. Egg Envelope Glycoproteins ZP1 and ZP3 Mediate Sperm-Egg Interaction in the Japanese Quail. J Poult Sci 2017; 54:80-86. [PMID: 32908412 PMCID: PMC7477180 DOI: 10.2141/jpsa.0160088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is indispensable for zygotic formation leading to the birth of animals and the species-specific sperm-egg binding thought to be the initial step in this important process. In birds, the oocyte, which encounters the spermatozoa at the time of fertilization, is enclosed in a perivitelline membrane (pvm) constructed of several zona pellucida glycoproteins (ZP proteins: ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, ZP4 and ZPD). The aim of this study was to determine the ZP protein in the pvm responsible for sperm-pvm binding in Japanese quail. We tested the effects of anti-ZP protein antibodies on in vitro sperm perforation in the pvm. The results showed that the anti-ZP1 and ZP3 antibody significantly blocked hole formation by sperm, whereas anti-ZP2, ZP4 and ZPD as well as normal rabbit serum had no such effect. When the sperm acrosome reaction was inhibited in the presence of pertussis toxin, sperm-pvm binding was observed. This sperm-pvm binding was significantly prevented when the purified ZP1 or ZP3 was included in the reaction mixture. Moreover, both digoxigenin-labeled ZP1 and ZP3 were found to interact with the sperm head by immunocytochemical observation. Our results indicate that sperm binding to the pvm is, at least in part, mediated by the interaction of ZP1 and ZP3 with the sperm head during fertilization in Japanese quail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinobu Ichikawa
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
| | - Mei Matsuzaki
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Shusei Mizushima
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering for Research, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama-shi, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Sasanami
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
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Tosti E, Ménézo Y. Gamete activation: basic knowledge and clinical applications. Hum Reprod Update 2016; 22:420-39. [PMID: 27278231 PMCID: PMC4917743 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmw014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The first clues to the process of gamete activation date back to nearly 60 years ago. The mutual activation of gametes is a crucial event during fertilization. In the testis and ovaries, spermatozoa and oocytes are in a state of meiotic and metabolic quiescence and require reciprocal signals in order to undergo functional changes that lead to competence for fertilization. First, the oocyte activates sperm by triggering motility, chemoattraction, binding and the acrosome reaction, culminating with the fusion of the two plasma membranes. At the end of this cascade of events, collectively known as sperm capacitation, sperm-induced oocyte activation occurs, generating electrical, morphological and metabolic modifications in the oocyte. Objective and rationale The aim of this review is to provide the current state of knowledge regarding the entire process of gamete activation in selected specific animal models that have contributed to our understanding of fertilization in mammals, including humans. Here we describe in detail the reciprocal induction of the two activation processes, the molecules involved and the mechanisms of cell interaction and signal transduction that ultimately result in successful embryo development and creation of a new individual. Search methods We carried out a literature survey with no restrictions on publication date (from the early 1950s to March 2016) using PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and Web of Knowledge by utilizing common keywords applied in the field of fertilization and embryo development. We also screened the complete list of references published in the most recent research articles and relevant reviews published in English (both animal and human studies) on the topics investigated. Outcomes Literature on the principal animal models demonstrates that gamete activation is a pre-requisite for successful fertilization, and is a process common to all species studied to date. We provide a detailed description of the dramatic changes in gamete morphology and behavior, the regulatory molecules triggering gamete activation and the intracellular ions and second messengers involved in active metabolic pathways in different species. Recent scientific advances suggest that artificial gamete activation may represent a novel technique to improve human IVF outcomes, but this approach requires caution. Wider implications Although controversial, manipulation of gamete activation represents a promising tool for ameliorating the fertilization rate in assisted reproductive technologies. A better knowledge of mechanisms that transform the quiescent oocyte into a pluripotent cell may also provide new insights for the clinical use of stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Tosti
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy
| | - Yves Ménézo
- London Fertility Associates, 104 Harley Street, London WIG7JD, UK
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Kuo YW, Li SH, Maeda KI, Gadella BM, Tsai PSJ. Roles of the reproductive tract in modifications of the sperm membrane surface. J Reprod Dev 2016; 62:337-43. [PMID: 27009019 PMCID: PMC5004788 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2016-028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Successful fertilization requires viable and
functional spermatozoa to recognize and fuse with
the oocyte. In most mammalian species, mature
spermatozoa are not capable of fertilizing the
oocytes immediately after ejaculation. However,
unlike somatic cells, spermatozoa, after leaving
the testis, are transcriptionally and
translationally silent; therefore, upon completion
of spermiogenesis, spermatozoa carry only a
minimal amount of essential proteins on their
membranes as well as within their restricted
volume of cytoplasm. To develop into a fully
functional and competent sperm that is capable of
successful fertilization, modifications of the
sperm membrane surface during its transit in the
reproductive tracts is critical. These
post-spermatogenesis modifications advance the
maturation of epididymal spermatozoa. In addition,
components secreted into the lumen of the
reproductive tracts that are later added onto the
sperm membrane surface also regulate (inhibit or
activate) the functions of the spermatozoa. This
acquisition of additional proteins from the
reproductive tracts may compensate for the
inactivity of morphologically mature spermatozoa.
In this review, we discuss the contributions of
the male and female genital tracts to
modifications of the sperm membrane surface at
different stages of fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Wen Kuo
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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32
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Tanphaichitr N, Kongmanas K, Kruevaisayawan H, Saewu A, Sugeng C, Fernandes J, Souda P, Angel JB, Faull KF, Aitken RJ, Whitelegge J, Hardy D, Berger T, Baker M. Remodeling of the plasma membrane in preparation for sperm-egg recognition: roles of acrosomal proteins. Asian J Androl 2016; 17:574-82. [PMID: 25994642 PMCID: PMC4492047 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.152817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of sperm with the egg's extracellular matrix, the zona pellucida (ZP) is the first step of the union between male and female gametes. The molecular mechanisms of this process have been studied for the past six decades with the results obtained being both interesting and confusing. In this article, we describe our recent work, which attempts to address two lines of questions from previous studies. First, because there are numerous ZP binding proteins reported by various researchers, how do these proteins act together in sperm–ZP interaction? Second, why do a number of acrosomal proteins have ZP affinity? Are they involved mainly in the initial sperm–ZP binding or rather in anchoring acrosome reacting/reacted spermatozoa to the ZP? Our studies reveal that a number of ZP binding proteins and chaperones, extracted from the anterior sperm head plasma membrane, coexist as high molecular weight (HMW) complexes, and that these complexes in capacitated spermatozoa have preferential ability to bind to the ZP. Zonadhesin (ZAN), known as an acrosomal protein with ZP affinity, is one of these proteins in the HMW complexes. Immunoprecipitation indicates that ZAN interacts with other acrosomal proteins, proacrosin/acrosin and sp32 (ACRBP), also present in the HMW complexes. Immunodetection of ZAN and proacrosin/acrosin on spermatozoa further indicates that both proteins traffic to the sperm head surface during capacitation where the sperm acrosomal matrix is still intact, and therefore they are likely involved in the initial sperm–ZP binding step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nongnuj Tanphaichitr
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ottawa; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,
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Abstract
Fertilization in animals that employ sexual reproduction is an indispensable event for the production of the next generation. A significant advancement in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sperm-egg interaction in mammalian species was achieved in the last few decades. However, the same level of knowledge has not been accumulated for birds because of egg size and the difficulty in mimicking the physiological polyspermy that takes place during normal fertilization. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of sperm-egg interaction mechanism during fertilization in birds, especially focusing on sperm-egg binding, sperm acrosome reaction and the authentic sperm protease required for the hole formation on the perivitelline membrane. We explain that the zona pellucida proteins (ZP1 and ZP3) in the perivitelline membrane play important roles in sperm-egg binding, induction of the acrosome reaction as well as sperm penetration by digestion of sperm protease. We anticipate that a deeper understanding of avian fertilization will open up new avenues to create powerful tools for a myriad of applications in the poultry industries including the production of transgenic and cloned birds.
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Miwa N. Dicalcin, a zona pellucida protein that regulates fertilization competence of the egg coat in Xenopus laevis. J Physiol Sci 2015; 65:507-14. [PMID: 26420688 PMCID: PMC10717281 DOI: 10.1007/s12576-015-0402-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fertilization is a highly coordinated process whereby sperm interact with the egg-coating envelope (called the zona pellucida, ZP) in a taxon-restricted manner, Fertilization triggers the resumption of the cell cycle of the egg, ultimately leading to generation of a new organism that contains hereditary information of the parents. The complete sperm-ZP interaction comprises sperm recognition of the ZP, the acrosome reaction, penetration of the ZP, and fusion with the egg. Recent evidence suggests that these processes involve oligosaccharides associated with a ZP constituent (termed ZP protein), the polypeptide backbone of a ZP protein, and/or the proper three-dimensional filamentous structure of the ZP. However, a detailed description of the molecular mechanisms involved in sperm-ZP interaction remains elusive. Recently, I found that dicalcin, a novel ZP protein-associated protein, suppresses fertilization through its association with gp41, the frog counterpart of the mammalian ZPC protein. This review focuses on molecular aspects of sperm-ZP interaction and describes the fertilization-suppressive function of dicalcin and associated molecular mechanisms. The amount of dicalcin in the ZP significantly correlates with alteration of the lectin-staining pattern within the ZP and the orientation pattern of ZP filaments, which may assist in elucidating the complex molecular mechanisms that underlie sperm-ZP interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naofumi Miwa
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan.
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36
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Okumura H, Sato T, Sakuma R, Fukushima H, Matsuda T, Ujita M. Identification of distinctive interdomain interactions among ZP-N, ZP-C and other domains of zona pellucida glycoproteins underlying association of chicken egg-coat matrix. FEBS Open Bio 2015; 5:454-65. [PMID: 26106520 PMCID: PMC4475693 DOI: 10.1016/j.fob.2015.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Revised: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chicken ZP1 and ZP3 assemble through strong interactions between their ZP-C domains. ZP-C domains of chicken ZP1 and ZP3 are deeply embedded in the egg-coat matrix. Chicken ZP1 forms a homocomplex through non-covalent interaction between repeat domains. Chicken ZPD is deposited on the interstices of ZP1–ZP3 matrix in the egg coat. We propose a model for the architecture of chicken egg-coat matrix from these results.
The vertebrate egg coat, including mammalian zona pellucida, is an oocyte-specific extracellular matrix comprising two to six zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins. The egg coat plays important roles in fertilization, especially in species-specific interactions with sperm to induce the sperm acrosome reaction and to form the block to polyspermy. It is suggested that the physiological functions of the egg coat are mediated and/or regulated coordinately by peptide and carbohydrate moieties of the ZP glycoproteins that are spatially arranged in the egg coat, whereas a comprehensive understanding of the architecture of vertebrate egg-coat matrix remains elusive. Here, we deduced the orientations and/or distributions of chicken ZP glycoproteins, ZP1, ZP3 and ZPD, in the egg-coat matrix by confocal immunofluorescent microscopy, and in the ZP1–ZP3 complexes generated in vitro by co-immunoprecipitation assays. We further confirmed interdomain interactions of the ZP glycoproteins by far-Western blot analyses of the egg-coat proteins and pull-down assays of ZP1 in the serum, using recombinant domains of ZP glycoproteins as probes. Our results suggest that the ZP1 and ZP3 bind through their ZP-C domains to form the ZP1–ZP3 complexes and fibrils, which are assembled into bundles through interactions between the repeat domains of ZP1 to form the ZP1–ZP3 matrix, and that the ZPD molecules self-associate and bind to the ZP1–ZP3 matrix through its ZP-N and ZP-C domains to form the egg-coat matrix. Based on these results, we propose a tentative model for the architecture of the chicken egg-coat matrix that might be applicable to other vertebrate ones.
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Key Words
- CBB, Coomassie Brilliant Blue
- DIC, differential interference contrast
- DTT, dithiothreitol
- EGF, epidermal growth factor
- EHP, external hydrophobic patch
- Egg coat
- Extracellular matrix
- Fertilization
- His6, hexahistidine
- IHP, internal hydrophobic patch
- Interdomain interaction
- MBP, maltose binding protein
- RT, room temperature
- TGFR, transforming growth factor-β receptor
- THP, Tamm–Horsfall protein
- Trx, thioredoxin
- ZP, zona pellucida
- Zona pellucida
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Okumura
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya 468-8502, Japan
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +81 52 838 2451; fax: +81 52 833 5524.
| | - Takahiro Sato
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya 468-8502, Japan
| | - Rio Sakuma
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya 468-8502, Japan
| | - Hideaki Fukushima
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya 468-8502, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Matsuda
- Department of Applied Molecular Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Minoru Ujita
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya 468-8502, Japan
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37
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A role for carbohydrate recognition in mammalian sperm-egg binding. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 450:1195-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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38
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Molecular and cellular mechanisms of sperm-oocyte interactions opinions relative to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:12972-97. [PMID: 25054321 PMCID: PMC4139886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms150712972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the biggest prerequisites for pregnancy is the fertilization step, where a human haploid spermatozoon interacts and penetrates one haploid oocyte in order to produce the diploid zygote. Although fertilization is defined by the presence of two pronuclei and the extraction of the second polar body the process itself requires preparation of both gametes for fertilization to take place at a specific time. These preparations include a number of consecutive biochemical and molecular events with the help of specific molecules and with the consequential interaction between the two gametes. These events take place at three different levels and in a precise order, where the moving spermatozoon penetrates (a) the outer vestments of the oocyte, known as the cumulus cell layer; (b) the zona pellucida (ZP); where exocytosis of the acrosome contents take place and (c) direct interaction of the spermatozoon with the plasma membrane of the oocyte, which involves a firm adhesion of the head of the spermatozoon with the oocyte plasma membrane that culminates with the fusion of both sperm and oocyte membranes (Part I). After the above interactions, a cascade of molecular signal transductions is initiated which results in oocyte activation. Soon after the entry of the first spermatozoon into the oocyte and oocyte activation, the oocyte’s coat (the ZP) and the oocyte’s plasma membrane seem to change quickly in order to initiate a fast block to a second spermatozoon (Part II). Sometimes, two spermatozoa fuse with one oocyte, an incidence of 1%–2%, resulting in polyploid fetuses that account for up to 10%–20% of spontaneously aborted human conceptuses. The present review aims to focus on the first part of the human sperm and oocyte interactions, emphasizing the latest molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling this process.
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39
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Avella MA, Baibakov B, Dean J. A single domain of the ZP2 zona pellucida protein mediates gamete recognition in mice and humans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 205:801-9. [PMID: 24934154 PMCID: PMC4068139 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201404025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The ZP251–149 domain is necessary for human and mouse gamete recognition on the surface of the zona pellucida and for mouse fertility. The extracellular zona pellucida surrounds ovulated eggs and mediates gamete recognition that is essential for mammalian fertilization. Zonae matrices contain three (mouse) or four (human) glycoproteins (ZP1–4), but which protein binds sperm remains controversial. A defining characteristic of an essential zona ligand is sterility after genetic ablation. We have established transgenic mice expressing human ZP4 that form zonae pellucidae in the absence of mouse or human ZP2. Neither mouse nor human sperm bound to these ovulated eggs, and these female mice were sterile after in vivo insemination or natural mating. The same phenotype was observed with truncated ZP2 that lacks a restricted domain within ZP251–149. Chimeric human/mouse ZP2 isoforms expressed in transgenic mice and recombinant peptide bead assays confirmed that this region accounts for the taxon specificity observed in human–mouse gamete recognition. These observations in transgenic mice document that the ZP251–149 sperm-binding domain is necessary for human and mouse gamete recognition and penetration through the zona pellucida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo A Avella
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Boris Baibakov
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Jurrien Dean
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
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40
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Li CW, Hon KW, Ghosh B, Li PH, Lin HY, Chan PH, Lin CH, Chen YC, Mong KKT. Synthesis of Oligomeric Mannosides and Their Structure-Binding Relationship with Concanavalin A. Chem Asian J 2014; 9:1786-96. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201402029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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41
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Chiu PCN, Lam KKW, Wong RCW, Yeung WSB. The identity of zona pellucida receptor on spermatozoa: an unresolved issue in developmental biology. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2014; 30:86-95. [PMID: 24747367 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian oocytes are surrounded by an acellular zona pellucida (ZP). Fertilization begins when a capacitated spermatozoon binds to the ZP. Defective sperm-ZP interaction is a cause of male infertility and reduced fertilization rates in clinical assisted reproduction treatment. Despite the importance of spermatozoa-ZP binding, the mechanisms and regulation of the interaction are unclear partly due to the failure in the identification of ZP receptor on spermatozoa. Most of the previous studies assumed that the sperm ZP receptor is a single molecular species, and a number of potential candidates had been suggested. Yet none of them can be considered as the sole sperm ZP receptor. Accumulated evidence suggested that the sperm ZP receptor is a dynamic multi-molecular structure requiring coordinated action of different proteins that are assembled into a functional complex during post-testicular maturation and capacitation. The complex components may include carbohydrate-binding, protein-binding and acrosomal matrix proteins which work as a suite to mediate spermatozoa-ZP interaction. This article aims to review the latest insights in the identification of the sperm ZP receptor. Continued investigation of the area will provide considerable understanding of the regulation of fertilization that will be useful for practical application in human contraception and reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip C N Chiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China; Centre of Reproduction, Development and Growth, LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kevin K W Lam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rachel C W Wong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - William S B Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China; Centre of Reproduction, Development and Growth, LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
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42
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Abstract
Fertilization is the process by which eggs and spermatozoa interact, achieve mutual recognition, and fuse to create a zygote, which then develops to form a new individual, thus allowing for the continuity of a species. Despite numerous studies on mammalian fertilization, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the fertilization event remain largely unknown. However, as I summarize here, recent work using both gene-manipulated animals and in vitro studies has begun to elucidate essential sperm and egg molecules and to establish predictive models of successful fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Okabe
- Center for Genetic Analysis for Biological Responses Research Institute for Microbial Diseases Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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43
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Posttranslational modifications of zona pellucida proteins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 759:111-40. [PMID: 25030762 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0817-2_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The zona pellucida (ZP), which surrounds the mammalian oocyte, functions in various aspects of fertilization. The ZP consists of three or four glycoproteins, which are derived from transmembrane proteins that lack the ability to self-assemble. Following posttranslational processing at specific sites, ectodomains of ZP precursor proteins are released from the membrane and begin to form a matrix. Glycosylational modification is thought to be involved in species-selective sperm recognition by ZP proteins. However, in mice, the supramolecular structure of the zona matrix is also important in sperm recognition. One ZP protein, ZP2, is processed at a specific site upon fertilization by ovastacin, which is released from cortical granules inside the oocyte. This phenomenon is involved in the block to polyspermy. The proteolysis of ubiquitinated ZP proteins by a sperm-associated proteasome is involved in penetration of the zona matrix by sperm, at least in the pigs. Thus, the posttranslational modification of ZP proteins is closely tied to ZP formation and the regulation of sperm-oocyte interactions.
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Abstract
Glycans are key participants in biological processes ranging from reproduction to cellular communication to infection. Revealing glycan roles and the underlying molecular mechanisms by which glycans manifest their function requires access to glycan derivatives that vary systematically. To this end, glycopolymers (polymers bearing pendant carbohydrates) have emerged as valuable glycan analogs. Because glycopolymers can readily be synthesized, their overall shape can be varied, and they can be altered systematically to dissect the structural features that underpin their activities. This review provides examples in which glycopolymers have been used to effect carbohydrate-mediated signal transduction. Our objective is to illustrate how these powerful tools can reveal the molecular mechanisms that underlie carbohydrate-mediated signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura L Kiessling
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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Gupta SK, Bhandari B, Shrestha A, Biswal BK, Palaniappan C, Malhotra SS, Gupta N. Mammalian zona pellucida glycoproteins: structure and function during fertilization. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 349:665-78. [PMID: 22298023 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-011-1319-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Zona pellucida (ZP) is a glycoproteinaceous translucent matrix that surrounds the mammalian oocyte and plays a critical role in the accomplishment of fertilization. In humans, it is composed of 4 glycoproteins designated as ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4, whereas mouse ZP is composed of ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 (Zp4 being a pseudogene). In addition to a variable sequence identity of a given zona protein among various species, human ZP1 and ZP4 are paralogs and mature polypeptide chains share an identity of 47%. Employing either affinity purified native or recombinant human zona proteins, it has been demonstrated that ZP1, ZP3 and ZP4 bind to the capacitated human spermatozoa and induce an acrosome reaction, whereas in mice, ZP3 acts as the putative primary sperm receptor. Human ZP2 only binds to acrosome-reacted spermatozoa and thus may be acting as a secondary sperm receptor. In contrast to O-linked glycans of ZP3 in mice, N-linked glycans of human ZP3 and ZP4 are more relevant for induction of the acrosome reaction. Recent studies suggest that Sialyl-Lewis(x) sequence present on both N- and O-glycans of human ZP play an important role in human sperm-egg binding. There are subtle differences in the downstream signaling events associated with ZP3 versus ZP1/ZP4-mediated induction of the acrosome reaction. For example, ZP3 but not ZP1/ZP4-mediated induction of the acrosome reaction is dependent on the activation of the Gi protein-coupled receptor. Thus, various studies suggest that, in contrast to mice, in humans more than one zona protein binds to spermatozoa and induces an acrosome reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Gupta
- Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India.
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Takahashi K, Kikuchi K, Uchida Y, Kanai-Kitayama S, Suzuki R, Sato R, Toma K, Geshi M, Akagi S, Nakano M, Yonezawa N. Binding of Sperm to the Zona Pellucida Mediated by Sperm Carbohydrate-Binding Proteins is not Species-Specific in Vitro between Pigs and Cattle. Biomolecules 2013; 3:85-107. [PMID: 24970158 PMCID: PMC4030887 DOI: 10.3390/biom3010085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbohydrates are candidates for the basis of species-selective interaction of gametes during mammalian fertilization. In this study, we sought to clarify the roles of sugar residues in the species-selective, sperm-oocyte interaction in pigs and cattle. Acrosome-intact porcine and bovine sperm exhibited their strongest binding affinities for β-Gal and α-Man residues, respectively. Porcine-sperm specificity changed from β-Gal to α-Man after the acrosome reaction, while bovine-sperm specificity did not. Binding of acrosome-intact and acrosome-reacted sperm decreased after trypsinization, indicating that the carbohydrate-binding components are proteins. While immature oocytes bound homologous sperm preferentially to heterologous sperm, oocytes matured in vitro bound similar numbers of homologous and heterologous sperm. Lectin staining revealed the aggregation of α-Man residues on the outer surface of the porcine zona during maturation. In both species, zona-free, mature oocytes bound homologous sperm preferentially to heterologous sperm. The lectin-staining patterns of the zona pellucida and zona-free oocytes coincided with the carbohydrate-binding specificities of acrosome-intact and acrosome-reacted sperm, respectively, supporting the involvement of carbohydrates in gamete recognition in pigs and cattle. These results also indicate that sperm-zona pellucida and sperm-oolemma bindings are not strictly species-specific in pigs and cattle, and further suggest that sperm penetration into the zona and/or fusion with oolemma may be species-specific between pigs and cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Takahashi
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiro Kikuchi
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan.
| | - Yasuomi Uchida
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | | | - Reiichiro Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Reiko Sato
- The Noguchi Institute, Tokyo 173-0003, Japan.
| | | | - Masaya Geshi
- National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Akagi
- National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan.
| | - Minoru Nakano
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Naoto Yonezawa
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
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Li L, Lu X, Dean J. The maternal to zygotic transition in mammals. Mol Aspects Med 2013; 34:919-38. [PMID: 23352575 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2013.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Prior to activation of the embryonic genome, the initiating events of mammalian development are under maternal control and include fertilization, the block to polyspermy and processing sperm DNA. Following gamete union, the transcriptionally inert sperm DNA is repackaged into the male pronucleus which fuses with the female pronucleus to form a 1-cell zygote. Embryonic transcription begins during the maternal to zygotic transfer of control in directing development. This transition occurs at species-specific times after one or several rounds of blastomere cleavage and is essential for normal development. However, even after activation of the embryonic genome, successful development relies on stored maternal components without which embryos fail to progress beyond initial cell divisions. Better understanding of the molecular basis of maternal to zygotic transition including fertilization, the activation of the embryonic genome and cleavage-stage development will provide insight into early human development that should translate into clinical applications for regenerative medicine and assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Division of Molecular Embryonic Development, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology/Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.
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Avella MA, Xiong B, Dean J. The molecular basis of gamete recognition in mice and humans. Mol Hum Reprod 2013; 19:279-89. [PMID: 23335731 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gat004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Successful fertilization heralds the onset of development and requires both gamete recognition and a definitive block to polyspermy. Sperm initially bind and penetrate the extracellular zona pellucida (ZP) that surrounds ovulated eggs, but are unable to bind the zona surrounding preimplantation embryos. The ZP of humans is composed of four (ZP1-4) and that of mouse three (ZP1-3) glycoproteins. Models for gamete recognition developed in mice had proposed that sperm bind to ZP3 glycans. However, phenotypes observed in genetically engineered mice are not consistent with this widely accepted model. More recently, taking advantage of the observation that human sperm do not bind to mouse eggs, human ZP2 was defined as the zona ligand in transgenic mouse models using gain-of-function assays. The sperm-binding site is an N-terminal domain of ZP2 that is cleaved by ovastacin, a metalloendoprotease released from egg cortical granules following fertilization. Proteolysis of this docking site provides a definitive block to polyspermy as sperm bind to uncleaved, but not cleaved ZP2 even after fertilization and cortical granule exocytosis. While progress has been made in defining the ZP ligand, less headway has been made in identifying the cognate sperm receptor. Although a number of sperm receptor candidates have been documented to interact with specific proteins in the ZP in vitro, continued fertility after genetic ablation of the cognate gene indicates that none are essential for gamete recognition. These on-going investigations inform reproductive medicine and suggest new therapies to improve fertility and/or provide contraception, thus expanding reproductive choices for human couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo A Avella
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Nairn AV, Aoki K, dela Rosa M, Porterfield M, Lim JM, Kulik M, Pierce JM, Wells L, Dalton S, Tiemeyer M, Moremen KW. Regulation of glycan structures in murine embryonic stem cells: combined transcript profiling of glycan-related genes and glycan structural analysis. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:37835-56. [PMID: 22988249 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.405233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The abundance and structural diversity of glycans on glycoproteins and glycolipids are highly regulated and play important roles during vertebrate development. Because of the challenges associated with studying glycan regulation in vertebrate embryos, we have chosen to study mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells as they differentiate into embryoid bodies (EBs) or into extraembryonic endodermal (ExE) cells as a model for cellular differentiation. We profiled N- and O-glycan structures isolated from these cell populations and examined transcripts encoding the corresponding enzymatic machinery for glycan biosynthesis in an effort to probe the mechanisms that drive the regulation of glycan diversity. During differentiation from mouse ES cells to either EBs or ExE cells, general trends were detected. The predominance of high mannose N-glycans in ES cells shifted to an equal abundance of complex and high mannose structures, increased sialylation, and increased α-Gal termination in the differentiated cell populations. Whereas core 1 O-glycan structures predominated in all three cell populations, increased sialylation and increased core diversity characterized the O-glycans of both differentiated cell types. Increased polysialylation was also found in both differentiated cell types. Differences between the two differentiated cell types included greater sialylation of N-glycans in EBs, whereas α-Gal-capped structures were more prevalent in ExE cells. Changes in glycan structures generally, but not uniformly, correlated with alterations in transcript abundance for the corresponding biosynthetic enzymes, suggesting that transcriptional regulation contributes significantly to the regulation of glycan expression. Knowledge of glycan structural diversity and transcript regulation should provide greater understanding of the roles of protein glycosylation in vertebrate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison V Nairn
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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Baibakov B, Boggs NA, Yauger B, Baibakov G, Dean J. Human sperm bind to the N-terminal domain of ZP2 in humanized zonae pellucidae in transgenic mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 197:897-905. [PMID: 22734000 PMCID: PMC3384420 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201203062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization requires taxon-specific gamete recognition, and human sperm do not bind to zonae pellucidae (ZP1-3) surrounding mouse eggs. Using transgenesis to replace endogenous mouse proteins with human homologues, gain-of-function sperm-binding assays were established to evaluate human gamete recognition. Human sperm bound only to zonae pellucidae containing human ZP2, either alone or coexpressed with other human zona proteins. Binding to the humanized matrix was a dominant effect that resulted in human sperm penetration of the zona pellucida and accumulation in the perivitelline space, where they were unable to fuse with mouse eggs. Using recombinant peptides, the site of gamete recognition was located to a defined domain in the N terminus of ZP2. These results provide experimental evidence for the role of ZP2 in mediating sperm binding to the zona pellucida and support a model in which human sperm-egg recognition is dependent on an N-terminal domain of ZP2, which is degraded after fertilization to provide a definitive block to polyspermy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Baibakov
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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