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Wang Y, Chen J, Huang X, Wu B, Dai P, Zhang F, Li J, Wang L. Gene-knockout by iSTOP enables rapid reproductive disease modeling and phenotyping in germ cells of the founder generation. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:1035-1050. [PMID: 38332217 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2408-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Cytosine base editing achieves C•G-to-T•A substitutions and can convert four codons (CAA/CAG/CGA/TGG) into STOP-codons (induction of STOP-codons, iSTOP) to knock out genes with reduced mosaicism. iSTOP enables direct phenotyping in founders' somatic cells, but it remains unknown whether this works in founders' germ cells so as to rapidly reveal novel genes for fertility. Here, we initially establish that iSTOP in mouse zygotes enables functional characterization of known genes in founders' germ cells: Cfap43-iSTOP male founders manifest expected sperm features resembling human "multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella" syndrome (i.e., MMAF-like features), while oocytes of Zp3-iSTOP female founders have no zona pellucida. We further illustrate iSTOP's utility for dissecting the functions of unknown genes with Ccdc183, observing MMAF-like features and male infertility in Ccdc183-iSTOP founders, phenotypes concordant with those of Ccdc183-KO offspring. We ultimately establish that CCDC183 is essential for sperm morphogenesis through regulating the assembly of outer dynein arms and participating in the intra-flagellar transport. Our study demonstrates iSTOP as an efficient tool for direct reproductive disease modeling and phenotyping in germ cells of the founder generation, and rapidly reveals the essentiality of Ccdc183 in fertility, thus providing a time-saving approach for validating genetic defects (like nonsense mutations) for human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Jingwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xueying Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Bangguo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Peng Dai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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2
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Nishio S, Emori C, Wiseman B, Fahrenkamp D, Dioguardi E, Zamora-Caballero S, Bokhove M, Han L, Stsiapanava A, Algarra B, Lu Y, Kodani M, Bainbridge RE, Komondor KM, Carlson AE, Landreh M, de Sanctis D, Yasumasu S, Ikawa M, Jovine L. ZP2 cleavage blocks polyspermy by modulating the architecture of the egg coat. Cell 2024; 187:1440-1459.e24. [PMID: 38490181 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Following the fertilization of an egg by a single sperm, the egg coat or zona pellucida (ZP) hardens and polyspermy is irreversibly blocked. These events are associated with the cleavage of the N-terminal region (NTR) of glycoprotein ZP2, a major subunit of ZP filaments. ZP2 processing is thought to inactivate sperm binding to the ZP, but its molecular consequences and connection with ZP hardening are unknown. Biochemical and structural studies show that cleavage of ZP2 triggers its oligomerization. Moreover, the structure of a native vertebrate egg coat filament, combined with AlphaFold predictions of human ZP polymers, reveals that two protofilaments consisting of type I (ZP3) and type II (ZP1/ZP2/ZP4) components interlock into a left-handed double helix from which the NTRs of type II subunits protrude. Together, these data suggest that oligomerization of cleaved ZP2 NTRs extensively cross-links ZP filaments, rigidifying the egg coat and making it physically impenetrable to sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Nishio
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Chihiro Emori
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Benjamin Wiseman
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Dirk Fahrenkamp
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Elisa Dioguardi
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | - Marcel Bokhove
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Ling Han
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Alena Stsiapanava
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Blanca Algarra
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mayo Kodani
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Rachel E Bainbridge
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kayla M Komondor
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anne E Carlson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michael Landreh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Shigeki Yasumasu
- Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
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3
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Pisciottano F, Campos MC, Penna C, Bruque CD, Gabaldón T, Saragüeta P. Positive selection in gamete interaction proteins in Carnivora. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17263. [PMID: 38318732 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The absence of robust interspecific isolation barriers among pantherines, including the iconic South American jaguar (Panthera onca), led us to study molecular evolution of typically rapidly evolving reproductive proteins within this subfamily and related groups. In this study, we delved into the evolutionary forces acting on the zona pellucida (ZP) gamete interaction protein family and the sperm-oocyte fusion protein pair IZUMO1-JUNO across the Carnivora order, distinguishing between Caniformia and Feliformia suborders and anticipating few significant diversifying changes in the Pantherinae subfamily. A chromosome-resolved jaguar genome assembly facilitated coding sequences, enabling the reconstruction of protein evolutionary histories. Examining sequence variability across more than 30 Carnivora species revealed that Feliformia exhibited significantly lower diversity compared to its sister taxa, Caniformia. Molecular evolution analyses of ZP2 and ZP3, subunits directly involved in sperm-recognition, unveiled diversifying positive selection in Feliformia, Caniformia and Pantherinae, although no significant changes were linked to sperm binding. Structural cross-linking ZP subunits, ZP4 and ZP1 exhibited lower levels or complete absence of positive selection. Notably, the fusion protein IZUMO1 displayed prominent positive selection signatures and sites in basal lineages of both Caniformia and Feliformia, extending along the Caniformia subtree but absent in Pantherinae. Conversely, JUNO did not exhibit any positive selection signatures across tested lineages and clades. Eight Caniformia-specific positive selected sites in IZUMO1 were detected within two JUNO-interaction clusters. Our findings provide for the first time insights into the evolutionary trajectories of ZP proteins and the IZUMO1-JUNO gamete interaction pair within the Carnivora order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Pisciottano
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Clara Campos
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Clementina Penna
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos David Bruque
- Unidad de Conocimiento Traslacional Hospitalaria Patagónica, Hospital de Alta Complejidad El Calafate SAMIC, El Calafate, Santa Cruz, Argentina
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Saragüeta
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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4
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Felten M, Distler U, von Wiegen N, Łącki M, Behl C, Tenzer S, Stöcker W, Körschgen H. Substrate profiling of the metalloproteinase ovastacin uncovers specific enzyme-substrate interactions and discloses fertilization-relevant substrates. FEBS J 2024; 291:114-131. [PMID: 37690456 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The metalloproteinase ovastacin is released by the mammalian egg upon fertilization and cleaves a distinct peptide bond in zona pellucida protein 2 (ZP2), a component of the enveloping extracellular matrix. This limited proteolysis causes zona pellucida hardening, abolishes sperm binding, and thereby regulates fertility. Accordingly, this process is tightly controlled by the plasma protein fetuin-B, an endogenous competitive inhibitor. At present, little is known about how the cleavage characteristics of ovastacin differ from closely related proteases. Physiological implications of ovastacin beyond ZP2 cleavage are still obscure. In this study, we employed N-terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates (N-TAILS) contained in the secretome of mouse embryonic fibroblasts to elucidate the substrate specificity and the precise cleavage site specificity. Furthermore, we were able to unravel the physicochemical properties governing ovastacin-substrate interactions as well as the individual characteristics that distinguish ovastacin from similar proteases, such as meprins and tolloid. Eventually, we identified several substrates whose cleavage could affect mammalian fertilization. Consequently, these substrates indicate newly identified functions of ovastacin in mammalian fertilization beyond zona pellucida hardening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Felten
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Cell and Matrix Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Ute Distler
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Nele von Wiegen
- Institute of Pathobiochemistry, The Autophagy Lab, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Mateusz Łącki
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Behl
- Institute of Pathobiochemistry, The Autophagy Lab, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Walter Stöcker
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Cell and Matrix Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Hagen Körschgen
- Institute of Pathobiochemistry, The Autophagy Lab, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
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5
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Suri K, Rajput N, Sharma P, Omble AD, Kulkarni K, Gahlay GK. In silico identification and characterization of the SNPs in the human ASTL gene and their probable role in female infertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1151672. [PMID: 37363721 PMCID: PMC10285486 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1151672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovastacin (ASTL), a zinc metalloprotease, is released from a fertilized egg during exocytosis of cortical granules which occurs minutes after the sperm and egg fuse. ASTL cleaves ZP2, one of the four primary glycoproteins of human zona pellucida, and this cleavage prevents polyspermy, causes zona pellucida hardening, and also protects the pre-implantation embryo. Any perturbation in the activity of ASTL can thus disturb this process and may lead to infertility without changing the gross morphology of the oocyte. A small amount of ASTL is also released by unfertilized oocytes but its catalytic activity is absent as it is bound by its inhibitor, Fetuin-B (FETUB). Pre-mature release of ASTL when FETUB is absent also causes infertility. To identify and understand the structural and functional effects of deleterious SNPs of ASTL on its interaction with ZP2 and FETUB and hence on fertility, a total of 4,748 SNPs from the dbSNP database were evaluated using a variety of in silico tools. All of the 40 shortlisted nsSNPs were present in the catalytic domain of the protein. Comparison of the wild type with mutants using MutPred2 suggests an alteration in the catalytic activity/zinc binding site in many SNPs. Docking studies show the involvement of hydrophobic interactions and H bonding between ASTL and ZP2 and also between ASTL and FETUB. Four positions in ASTL involved in the hydrophobic interactions (P105 and D200 between ASTL and ZP2; D198 and L278 between ASTL and FETUB) and 5 in H bonding (E75 and R159 between ASTL and ZP2; and K93, R159, and C281 between ASTL and FETUB) have SNP's associated with them validating their importance. Interestingly, a cluster of multiple SNPs was found in the motif 198DRD200, which is also a well-conserved region among several species. Statistical Coupling Analysis (SCA) suggested that the deleterious SNPs were present in the functionally important amino acid positions of ASTL and are evolutionarily coupled. Thus, these results attempt to identify the regions in ASTL, mutations in which can affect its binding with ZP2 or FETUB and cause female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kapali Suri
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Neha Rajput
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Priya Sharma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Aishwarya D. Omble
- Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India
| | - Kiran Kulkarni
- Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India
| | - Gagandeep K. Gahlay
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
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6
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Gupta SK. Zona pellucida glycoproteins: Relevance in fertility and development of contraceptive vaccines. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 89:e13535. [PMID: 35249246 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian zona pellucida (ZP) is composed of three to four glycoproteins, which plays an important role during fertilization. Mutations in the genes encoding zona proteins are reported in women with empty follicle syndrome, degenerated oocytes and those with an abnormal or no ZP further emphasizing their relevance during fertility. Immunization with either native or recombinant ZP glycoproteins/proteins leads to curtailment of fertility in various animal species. Observed infertility is frequently associated with ovarian pathology characterized by follicular atresia and degenerative changes in ZP, which may be due to oophoritogenic T cell epitope(s) within ZP glycoproteins. To avoid ovarian dystrophy, B cell epitopes of ZP glycoproteins have been mapped by using bio-effective monoclonal antibodies. Immunization with the immunogens encompassing the mapped B cell epitopes by and large led to amelioration of follicular atresia. However, their use for human application will require more rigorous research to establish their safety and reversibility of the contraceptive effect. Nonetheless, to minimize human-animal conflicts, ZP-based contraceptive vaccines have been used successfully in the population management of free-ranging animal species such as feral horses, white-tailed deer and elephants. To control zoonotic diseases, attempts are also underway to control the population of other animal species including stray dogs, which acts as one of the major vectors for the rabies virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Gupta
- Basic Medical Sciences Division, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
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7
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Fliniaux I, Marchand G, Molinaro C, Decloquement M, Martoriati A, Marin M, Bodart JF, Harduin-Lepers A, Cailliau K. Diversity of sialic acids and sialoglycoproteins in gametes and at fertilization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:982931. [PMID: 36340022 PMCID: PMC9630641 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.982931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sialic acids are a family of 9-carbon monosaccharides with particular physicochemical properties. They modulate the biological functions of the molecules that carry them and are involved in several steps of the reproductive process. Sialoglycoproteins participate in the balance between species recognition and specificity, and the mechanisms of these aspects remain an issue in gametes formation and binding in metazoan reproduction. Sialoglycoproteins form a specific coat at the gametes surface and specific polysialylated chains are present on marine species oocytes. Spermatozoa are submitted to critical sialic acid changes in the female reproductive tract facilitating their migration, their survival through the modulation of the female innate immune response, and the final oocyte-binding event. To decipher the role of sialic acids in gametes and at fertilization, the dynamical changes of enzymes involved in their synthesis and removal have to be further considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Katia Cailliau
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
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8
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Zhang M, Sun L, Zhang Z, Shentu L, Zhang Y, Li Z, Zhang Y, Zhang Y. Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation restores the meiotic competency and fertilization capacity of porcine oocytes induced by arsenite. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:943757. [PMID: 36263016 PMCID: PMC9574060 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.943757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Arsenite is known as a well-known endocrine disrupting chemicals, and reported to be associated with an increased incidence of negative health effects, including reproductive disorders and dysfunction of the endocrine system. However, it still lacks of the research regarding the beneficial effects of ALA on arsenite exposed oocytes, and the underlying mechanisms have not been determined. Here, we report that supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a strong antioxidant naturally present in all cells of the humans, is able to restore the declined meiotic competency and fertilization capacity of porcine oocytes induced by arsenite. Notably, ALA recovers the defective nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of porcine oocytes caused by arsenite exposure, including the impaired spindle formation and actin polymerization, the defective mitochondrion integrity and cortical granules distribution. Also, ALA recovers the compromised sperm binding ability to maintain the fertilization potential of arsenite-exposed oocytes. Importantly, ALA suppresses the oxidative stress by reducing the levels of ROS and inhibits the occurrence of DNA damage along with apoptosis. Above all, we provide a new perspective for the application of ALA in effectively preventing the declined oocyte quality induced by environmental EDCs.
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Li R, Qu J, Huang D, He Y, Niu J, Qi J. Expression Analysis of ZPB2a and Its Regulatory Role in Sperm-Binding in Viviparous Teleost Black Rockfish. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169498. [PMID: 36012756 PMCID: PMC9409380 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169498] [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: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Black rockfish is a viviparous teleost whose sperm could be stored in the female ovary for five months. We previously proposed that zona pellucida (ZP) proteins of black rockfish play a similar sperm-binding role as in mammals. In this study, SsZPB2a and SsZPB2c were identified as the most similar genes with human ZPA, ZPB1 and ZPB2 by Blastp method. Immunohistochemistry showed that ovary-specific SsZPB2a was initially expressed in the cytoplasm of oocytes at stage III. Then it gradually transferred to the region close to the cell membrane and zona pellucida of oocytes at stage IV. The most obvious protein signal was observed at the zona pellucida region of oocytes at stage V. Furthermore, we found that the recombinant prokaryotic proteins rSsZPB2a and rSsZPB2c could bind with the posterior end of sperm head and rSsZPB2a was able to facilitate the sperm survival in vitro. After knocking down Sszpb2a in ovarian tissues cultivated in vitro, the expressions of sperm-specific genes were down-regulated (p < 0.05). These results illustrated the regulatory role of ZP protein to the sperm in viviparous teleost for the first time, which could advance our understanding about the biological function of ZP proteins in the teleost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jiangbo Qu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Dan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Yan He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Jingjing Niu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Correspondence: (J.N.); (J.Q.)
| | - Jie Qi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572000, China
- Correspondence: (J.N.); (J.Q.)
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10
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Roberts EK, Tardif S, Wright EA, Platt RN, Bradley RD, Hardy DM. Rapid divergence of a gamete recognition gene promoted macroevolution of Eutheria. Genome Biol 2022; 23:155. [PMID: 35821049 PMCID: PMC9275260 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02721-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Speciation genes contribute disproportionately to species divergence, but few examples exist, especially in vertebrates. Here we test whether Zan, which encodes the sperm acrosomal protein zonadhesin that mediates species-specific adhesion to the egg's zona pellucida, is a speciation gene in placental mammals. RESULTS Genomic ontogeny reveals that Zan arose by repurposing of a stem vertebrate gene that was lost in multiple lineages but retained in Eutheria on acquiring a function in egg recognition. A 112-species Zan sequence phylogeny, representing 17 of 19 placental Orders, resolves all species into monophyletic groups corresponding to recognized Orders and Suborders, with <5% unsupported nodes. Three other rapidly evolving germ cell genes (Adam2, Zp2, and Prm1), a paralogous somatic cell gene (TectA), and a mitochondrial gene commonly used for phylogenetic analyses (Cytb) all yield trees with poorer resolution than the Zan tree and inferior topologies relative to a widely accepted mammalian supertree. Zan divergence by intense positive selection produces dramatic species differences in the protein's properties, with ordinal divergence rates generally reflecting species richness of placental Orders consistent with expectations for a speciation gene that acts across a wide range of taxa. Furthermore, Zan's combined phylogenetic utility and divergence exceeds those of all other genes known to have evolved in Eutheria by positive selection, including the only other mammalian speciation gene, Prdm9. CONCLUSIONS Species-specific egg recognition conferred by Zan's functional divergence served as a mode of prezygotic reproductive isolation that promoted the extraordinary adaptive radiation and success of Eutheria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma K Roberts
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Steve Tardif
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Reproductive Biology Division, JangoBio, Fitchburg, WI, USA
| | - Emily A Wright
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Roy N Platt
- Host-Pathogen Interaction Program, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Robert D Bradley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Natural Science Research Laboratory, Museum of Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Daniel M Hardy
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
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11
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Rivera AM, Swanson WJ. The Importance of Gene Duplication and Domain Repeat Expansion for the Function and Evolution of Fertilization Proteins. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:827454. [PMID: 35155436 PMCID: PMC8830517 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.827454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of gene duplication followed by gene loss or evolution of new functions has been studied extensively, yet the role gene duplication plays in the function and evolution of fertilization proteins is underappreciated. Gene duplication is observed in many fertilization protein families including Izumo, DCST, ZP, and the TFP superfamily. Molecules mediating fertilization are part of larger gene families expressed in a variety of tissues, but gene duplication followed by structural modifications has often facilitated their cooption into a fertilization function. Repeat expansions of functional domains within a gene also provide opportunities for the evolution of novel fertilization protein. ZP proteins with domain repeat expansions are linked to species-specificity in fertilization and TFP proteins that experienced domain duplications were coopted into a novel sperm function. This review outlines the importance of gene duplications and repeat domain expansions in the evolution of fertilization proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto M. Rivera
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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12
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Saito T, Sawada H. Fertilization of Ascidians: Gamete Interaction, Self/Nonself Recognition and Sperm Penetration of Egg Coat. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:827214. [PMID: 35186958 PMCID: PMC8849226 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.827214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is one of the most important events in living organisms to generate a new life with a mixed genetic background. To achieve successful fertilization, sperm and eggs must undergo complex processes in a sequential order. Fertilization of marine invertebrate Ciona intestinalis type A (Ciona robusta) has been studied for more than a hundred years. Ascidian sperm are attracted by chemoattractants from eggs and bind to the vitelline coat. Subsequently, sperm penetrate through the vitelline coat proteolytically and finally fuse with the egg plasma membrane. Here, we summarize the fertilization mechanisms of ascidians, particularly from sperm-egg interactions to sperm penetration of the egg coat. Since ascidians are hermaphrodites, inbreeding depression is a serious problem. To avoid self-fertilization, ascidians possess a self-incompatibility system. In this review, we also describe the molecular mechanisms of the self-incompatibility system in C. intestinalis type A governed by three allelic gene pairs of s-Themis and v-Themis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Saito
- Faculty of Agriculture Department of Applied Life Sciences, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Sawada
- Depatment of Food and Nutritional Environment, College of Human Life and Environment, Kinjo Gakuin University, Nagoya, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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13
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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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14
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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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15
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Rajput N, Gahlay GK. Identification and in silico Characterization of Deleterious Single Nucleotide Variations in Human ZP2 Gene. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:763166. [PMID: 34869353 PMCID: PMC8635754 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.763166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
ZP2, an important component of the zona matrix, surrounds mammalian oocytes and facilitates fertilization. Recently, some studies have documented the association of mutations in genes encoding the zona matrix with the infertile status of human females. Single nucleotide polymorphisms are the most common type of genetic variations observed in a population and as per the dbSNP database, around 5,152 SNPs are reported to exist in the human ZP2 (hZP2) gene. Although a wide range of computational tools are publicly available, yet no computational studies have been done to date to identify and analyze structural and functional effects of deleterious SNPs on hZP2. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive in silico analysis of all the SNPs found in hZP2. Six different computational tools including SIFT and PolyPhen-2 predicted 18 common nsSNPs as deleterious of which 12 were predicted to most likely affect the structure/functional properties. These were either present in the N-term region crucial for sperm-zona interaction or in the zona domain. 31 additional SNPs in both coding and non-coding regions were also identified. Interestingly, some of these SNPs have been found to be present in infertile females in some recent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Rajput
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, INDIA
| | - Gagandeep Kaur Gahlay
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, INDIA
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16
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Fujihara Y, Herberg S, Blaha A, Panser K, Kobayashi K, Larasati T, Novatchkova M, Theussl HC, Olszanska O, Ikawa M, Pauli A. The conserved fertility factor SPACA4/Bouncer has divergent modes of action in vertebrate fertilization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2108777118. [PMID: 34556579 PMCID: PMC8488580 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2108777118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is the fundamental process that initiates the development of a new individual in all sexually reproducing species. Despite its importance, our understanding of the molecular players that govern mammalian sperm-egg interaction is incomplete, partly because many of the essential factors found in nonmammalian species do not have obvious mammalian homologs. We have recently identified the lymphocyte antigen-6 (Ly6)/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) protein Bouncer as an essential fertilization factor in zebrafish [S. Herberg, K. R. Gert, A. Schleiffer, A. Pauli, Science 361, 1029-1033 (2018)]. Here, we show that Bouncer's homolog in mammals, Sperm Acrosome Associated 4 (SPACA4), is also required for efficient fertilization in mice. In contrast to fish, in which Bouncer is expressed specifically in the egg, SPACA4 is expressed exclusively in the sperm. Male knockout mice are severely subfertile, and sperm lacking SPACA4 fail to fertilize wild-type eggs in vitro. Interestingly, removal of the zona pellucida rescues the fertilization defect of Spaca4-deficient sperm in vitro, indicating that SPACA4 is not required for the interaction of sperm and the oolemma but rather of sperm and the zona pellucida. Our work identifies SPACA4 as an important sperm protein necessary for zona pellucida penetration during mammalian fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Bioscience and Genetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita 564-8565, Japan
| | - Sarah Herberg
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Blaha
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Panser
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kiyonori Kobayashi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tamara Larasati
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Maria Novatchkova
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hans-Christian Theussl
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Olga Olszanska
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan;
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Andrea Pauli
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria;
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17
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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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18
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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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19
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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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20
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Kuske M, Floehr J, Yiallouros I, Michna T, Jahnen-Dechent W, Tenzer S, Stöcker W, Körschgen H. Limited proteolysis by acrosin affects sperm-binding and mechanical resilience of the mouse zona pellucida. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6199430. [PMID: 33779727 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab022] [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: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The encounter of oocyte and sperm is the key event initiating embryonic development in mammals. Crucial functions of this existential interaction are determined by proteolytic enzymes, such as acrosin, carried in the sperm head acrosome, and ovastacin, stored in the oocyte cortical granules. Ovastacin is released upon fertilisation to cleave the zona pellucida, a glycoprotein matrix surrounding the oocyte. This limited proteolysis hardens the oocyte envelope, and thereby provides a definitive block against polyspermy and protects the developing embryo. On the other hand, acrosin, the renowned and most abundant acrosomal protease, has been thought to enable sperm to penetrate the oocyte envelope. Depending on the species, proteolytic cleavage of the zona pellucida by acrosin is either essential or conducive for fertilisation. However, the specific target cleavage sites and the resulting physiological consequences of this proteolysis remained obscure. Here, we treated native mouse zonae pellucidae with active acrosin and identified two cleavage sites in zona pellucida protein 1 (ZP1), five in ZP2 and one in ZP3 by mass spectrometry. Several of these sites are highly conserved in mammals. Remarkably, limited proteolysis by acrosin leads to zona pellucida remodelling rather than degradation. Thus, acrosin affects both sperm binding and mechanical resilience of the zona pellucida, as assessed by microscopy and nanoindentation measurements, respectively. Furthermore, we ascertained potential regulatory effects of acrosin, via activation of latent pro-ovastacin and inactivation of fetuin-B, a tight binding inhibitor of ovastacin. These results offer novel insights into the complex proteolytic network modifying the extracellular matrix of the mouse oocyte, which might apply also to other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kuske
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Cell and Matrix Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, German
| | - Julia Floehr
- Biointerface Laboratory, Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical Faculty, Aachen, German
| | - Irene Yiallouros
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Cell and Matrix Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, German
| | - Thomas Michna
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Willi Jahnen-Dechent
- Biointerface Laboratory, Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical Faculty, Aachen, German
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Walter Stöcker
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Cell and Matrix Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, German
| | - Hagen Körschgen
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Cell and Matrix Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, German
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21
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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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22
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Gahlay GK, Rajput N. The enigmatic sperm proteins in mammalian fertilization: an overview†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:1171-1185. [PMID: 32761117 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian fertilization involves a physical interaction between a sperm and an egg followed by molecular interactions amongst their various cell surface molecules. These interactions are initially mediated on the egg's outermost matrix, zona pellucida (ZP), and then its plasma membrane. To better understand this process, it is pertinent to find the corresponding molecules on sperm that interact with ZP or the egg's plasma membrane. Although currently, we have some knowledge about the binding partners for egg's plasma membrane on sperm, yet the ones involved in an interaction with ZP have remained remarkably elusive. This review provides comprehensive knowledge about the various sperm proteins participating in mammalian fertilization and discusses the possible reasons for not being able to identify the strong sperm surface candidate (s) for ZP adhesion. It also hypothesizes the existence of a multi-protein complex(s), members of which participate in oviduct transport, cumulus penetration, zona adhesion, and adhesion/fusion with the egg's plasma membrane; with some protein(s) having multiple roles during this process. Identification of these proteins is crucial as it improves our understanding of the process and allows us to successfully treat infertility, develop contraceptives, and improve artificial reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagandeep Kaur Gahlay
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, India
| | - Neha Rajput
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, India
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23
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Abstract
Sexual reproduction is such a successful way of creating progeny with subtle genetic variations that the vast majority of eukaryotic species use it. In mammals, it involves the formation of highly specialised cells: the sperm in males and the egg in females, each carrying the genetic inheritance of an individual. The interaction of sperm and egg culminates with the fusion of their cell membranes, triggering the molecular events that result in the formation of a new genetically distinct organism. Although we have a good cellular description of fertilisation in mammals, many of the molecules involved remain unknown, and especially the identity and role of cell surface proteins that are responsible for sperm–egg recognition, binding, and fusion. Here, we will highlight and discuss these gaps in our knowledge and how the role of some recently discovered sperm cell surface and secreted proteins contribute to our understanding of this fundamental process. Fertilisation is the challenging process whereby cells from two individuals fuse to generate a new, genetically distinct organism of the same species. This Unsolved Mystery article explores the molecular mechanisms underlying sperm–egg interaction and fusion, a fascinating topic that is under increasing investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Bianchi
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Gavin J. Wright
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, United Kingdom
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24
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Huerta-Retamal N, Sáez-Espinosa P, Robles-Gómez L, Avilés M, Romero A, Aizpurua J, Gómez-Torres MJ. Human sperm chaperone HSPA2 distribution during in vitro capacitation. J Reprod Immunol 2020; 143:103246. [PMID: 33246276 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Human fertilization success depends on the ability of the spermatozoa to undergo capacitation. Even though this process can be conducted in vitro, the optimal time for a sperm cell to complete capacitation in vitro is still under discussion due to the lack of proper capacitation biomarkers. Here, we evaluated the influence of in vitro capacitation time on HSPA2 distribution over human sperm head testing this chaperone as a potential capacitation biomarker. The chaperone was assessed in human spermatozoa from 16 normozoospermic donors using indirect immunofluorescence in uncapacitated, one and four-hour capacitated spermatozoa. The percentage of HSPA2 immunofluorescent cells before and after one hour of capacitation did not differ significantly. However, after four hours of capacitation, we observed a significantly higher percentage of HSPA2 labelled cells. In fluorescent cells analysed before capacitation, we could not identify a predominant distribution pattern. Meanwhile, after capacitation, most sperm showed a highly labelled equatorial band accompanied by a homogeneous fluorescence throughout the acrosomal region. Our findings suggest that HSPA2 needs more than one hour of in vitro capacitation for being correctly distributed in the anterior region of the sperm head. In conclusion, the present study provides solid evidences for the utility of HSPA2 as a biomarker of human sperm in vitro capacitation. Due to its importance during egg-sperm recognition, the use of HSPA2 as a biomarker before an artificial reproduction technique may be suggested, in addition to a longer capacitation time during sperm preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Sáez-Espinosa
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, 03690, Spain
| | - Laura Robles-Gómez
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, 03690, Spain
| | - Manuel Avilés
- Departamento de Biología celular e Histología, Universidad de Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Sociosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, 30003, Spain
| | - Alejandro Romero
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, 03690, Spain
| | - Jon Aizpurua
- IVF Spain, Medicina Reproductiva, Alicante, 03540, Spain; Cátedra Human Fertility, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - María José Gómez-Torres
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, 03690, Spain; Cátedra Human Fertility, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
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25
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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: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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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26
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Functional Mammalian Amyloids and Amyloid-Like Proteins. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10090156. [PMID: 32825636 PMCID: PMC7555005 DOI: 10.3390/life10090156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloids are highly ordered fibrous cross-β protein aggregates that are notorious primarily because of association with a variety of incurable human and animal diseases (termed amyloidoses), including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and prion diseases. Some amyloid-associated diseases, in particular T2D and AD, are widespread and affect hundreds of millions of people all over the world. However, recently it has become evident that many amyloids, termed “functional amyloids,” are involved in various activities that are beneficial to organisms. Functional amyloids were discovered in diverse taxa, ranging from bacteria to mammals. These amyloids are involved in vital biological functions such as long-term memory, storage of peptide hormones and scaffolding melanin polymerization in animals, substrate attachment, and biofilm formation in bacteria and fungi, etc. Thus, amyloids undoubtedly are playing important roles in biological and pathological processes. This review is focused on functional amyloids in mammals and summarizes approaches used for identifying new potentially amyloidogenic proteins and domains.
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27
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Okaji H, Tetsuka K, Watanabe R, Kishigami S. New cellular imaging of oocytes and preimplantation embryos using Lumitein™: Evaluation of oocyte quality and new information on protein dynamics within the perivitelline space during the one-cell oocyte stage in mice. J Reprod Dev 2020; 66:155-161. [PMID: 31983710 PMCID: PMC7175381 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2019-114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix between the oocyte and zona pellucida (ZP) plays an important role in mammalian fertilization and preserves the specific environment of the perivitelline space (PVS) during the development of a preimplantation embryo after fertilization. In this study, we applied a highly sensitive luminescent protein dye, Lumitein™, to observe the hydrophobic status of proteins in oocytes and preimplantation embryos. Lumitein™ is widely used for detecting denatured proteins after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Lumitein™ fluorescence was detected primarily in the PVS and degenerated first polar body of fresh normal metaphase II (MII) oocytes but much less within the ZP and ooplasm, which suggested a hydrophobic PVS environment in the MII oocytes. Unexpectedly, abnormally-shaped fresh or aged oocytes showed stronger fluorescence in the PVS, which reflected oocyte quality. Interestingly, 10 h after fertilization, the fluorescent signal in the PVS temporarily increased in a patched pattern that appeared and then disappeared by the two-cell stage. After the two-cell stage, the decreased fluorescent signal was maintained throughout the development of the preimplantation embryo. These results suggest new protein dynamics in the PVS during the one-cell stage of the oocyte. Thus, cellular imaging of oocytes and preimplantation embryos using Lumitein™ provides new information on protein dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroka Okaji
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Kenta Tetsuka
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Ren Watanabe
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.,Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kishigami
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.,Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
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28
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Evans JP. Preventing polyspermy in mammalian eggs-Contributions of the membrane block and other mechanisms. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:341-349. [PMID: 32219915 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The egg's blocks to polyspermy (fertilization of an egg by more than one sperm) were originally identified in marine and aquatic species with external fertilization, but polyspermy matters in mammalian reproduction too. Embryonic triploidy is a noteworthy event associated with pregnancy complications and loss. Polyspermy is a major cause of triploidy with up to 80% of triploid conceptuses being the result of dispermic fertilization. The mammalian female reproductive tract regulates the number of sperm that reach the site of fertilization, but mammals also utilize egg-based blocks to polyspermy. The egg-based blocks occur on the mammalian egg coat (the zona pellucida) and the egg plasma membrane, with apparent variation between different mammalian species regarding the extent to which one or both are used. The zona pellucida block to polyspermy has some similarities to the slow block in water-dwelling species, but the mammalian membrane block to polyspermy differs substantially from the fast electrical block that has been characterized in marine and aquatic species. This review discusses what is known about the incidence of polyspermy in mammals and about the mammalian membrane block to polyspermy, as well as notes some lesser-characterized potential mechanisms contributing to polyspermy prevention in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice P Evans
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
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29
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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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30
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Trebichalská Z, Holubcová Z. Perfect date-the review of current research into molecular bases of mammalian fertilization. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:243-256. [PMID: 31909446 PMCID: PMC7056734 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01679-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is a multistep process during which two terminally differentiated haploid cells, an egg and a sperm, combine to produce a totipotent diploid zygote. In the early 1950s, it became possible to fertilize mammalian eggs in vitro and study the sequence of cellular and molecular events leading to embryo development. Despite all the achievements of assisted reproduction in the last four decades, remarkably little is known about the molecular aspects of human conception. Current fertility research in animal models is casting more light on the complexity of the process all our lives start with. This review article provides an update on the investigation of mammalian fertilization and highlights the practical implications of scientific discoveries in the context of human reproduction and reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Trebichalská
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Holubcová
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, Czech Republic. .,Reprofit International, Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Brno, Czech Republic.
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31
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Abstract
The perpetuation and preservation of distinct species rely on mechanisms that ensure that only interactions between gametes of the same species can give rise to viable and fertile offspring. Species-specificity can act at various stages, ranging from physical/behavioral pre-copulatory mechanisms, to pre-zygotic incompatibility during fertilization, to post-zygotic hybrid incompatibility. Herein, we focus on our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for species-specificity during fertilization. While still poorly understood, decades of research have led to the discovery of molecules implicated in species-specific gamete interactions, starting from initial sperm-egg attraction to the binding of sperm and egg. While many of these molecules have been described as species-specific in their mode of action, relatively few have been demonstrated as such with definitive evidence. Thus, we also raise remaining questions that need to be addressed in order to characterize gamete interaction molecules as species-specific.
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32
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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: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [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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33
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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: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [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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34
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Nishimura K, Dioguardi E, Nishio S, Villa A, Han L, Matsuda T, Jovine L. Molecular basis of egg coat cross-linking sheds light on ZP1-associated female infertility. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3086. [PMID: 31300655 PMCID: PMC6626044 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10931-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian fertilisation begins when sperm interacts with the egg zona pellucida (ZP), whose ZP1 subunit is important for fertility by covalently cross-linking ZP filaments into a three-dimensional matrix. Like ZP4, a structurally-related component absent in the mouse, ZP1 is predicted to contain an N-terminal ZP-N domain of unknown function. Here we report a characterisation of ZP1 proteins carrying mutations from infertile patients, which suggests that, in human, filament cross-linking by ZP1 is crucial to form a stable ZP. We map the function of ZP1 to its ZP-N1 domain and determine crystal structures of ZP-N1 homodimers from a chicken homolog of ZP1. These reveal that ZP filament cross-linking is highly plastic and can be modulated by ZP1 fucosylation and, potentially, zinc sparks. Moreover, we show that ZP4 ZP-N1 forms non-covalent homodimers in chicken but not in human. Together, these data identify human ZP1 cross-links as a promising target for non-hormonal contraception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Nishimura
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden
| | - Elisa Dioguardi
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden
| | - Shunsuke Nishio
- Department of Applied Molecular Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden
| | - Alessandra Villa
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden
| | - Ling Han
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden
| | - Tsukasa Matsuda
- Department of Applied Molecular Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden.
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35
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Tokuhiro K, Dean J. Glycan-Independent Gamete Recognition Triggers Egg Zinc Sparks and ZP2 Cleavage to Prevent Polyspermy. Dev Cell 2018; 46:627-640.e5. [PMID: 30122633 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The zona pellucida surrounding ovulated eggs regulates monospermic fertilization necessary for successful development. Using mouse transgenesis, we document that the N terminus of ZP2 is sufficient for sperm binding to the zona matrix and for in vivo fertility. Sperm binding is independent of ZP2 glycans and does not occur after complete cleavage of ZP2 by ovastacin, a zinc metalloendopeptidase stored in egg cortical granules. Immediately following fertilization, a rapid block to sperm penetration of the zona pellucida is established that precedes ZP2 cleavage but requires ovastacin enzymatic activity. This block to penetration is associated with release of zinc from cortical granules coincident with exocytosis. High levels of zinc affect forward motility of sperm to prevent their passage through the zona matrix. This transient, post-fertilization block to sperm penetration provides a temporal window to complete the cleavage of ZP2, which prevents sperm binding to ensure monospermy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keizo Tokuhiro
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jurrien Dean
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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36
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Dai C, Hu L, Gong F, Tan Y, Cai S, Zhang S, Dai J, Lu C, Chen J, Chen Y, Lu G, Du J, Lin G. ZP2 pathogenic variants cause in vitro fertilization failure and female infertility. Genet Med 2018; 21:431-440. [PMID: 29895852 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0064-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The oocyte-borne genetic causes leading to fertilization failure are largely unknown. We aimed to identify novel human pathogenic variants (PV) and genes causing fertilization failure. METHODS We performed exome sequencing for a consanguineous family with a recessive inheritance pattern of female infertility characterized by oocytes with a thin zona pellucida (ZP) and fertilization failure in routine in vitro fertilization. Subsequent PV screening of ZP2 was performed in additional eight unrelated infertile women whose oocytes exhibited abnormal ZP and similar fertilization failure. Expression of ZP proteins was assessed in mutant oocytes by immunostaining, and functional studies of the wild-type and mutant proteins were carried out in CHO-K1 cells. RESULTS Two homozygous s PV (c.1695-2A>G, and c.1691_1694dup (p.C566Wfs*5), respectively) of ZP2 were identified in the affected women from two unrelated consanguineous families. All oocytes carrying PV were surrounded by a thin ZP that was defective for sperm-binding. Immunostaining indicated a lack of ZP2 protein in the thin ZP. Studies in CHO cells showed that both PV resulted in a truncated ZP2 protein, which might be intracellularly sequestered and prematurely interacted with other ZP proteins. CONCLUSION We identified loss-of-function PV of ZP2 causing a structurally abnormal and dysfunctional ZP, resulting in fertilization failure and female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Dai
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Liang Hu
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Reproductive Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China.,National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cell, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Gong
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Reproductive Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
| | - Yueqiu Tan
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Reproductive Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
| | - Sufen Cai
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuoping Zhang
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Dai
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Changfu Lu
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Reproductive Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongzhe Chen
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Reproductive Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China.,National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cell, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Du
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China. .,Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Reproductive Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China.
| | - Ge Lin
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China. .,Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Reproductive Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China. .,National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cell, Changsha, China.
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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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Körschgen H, Kuske M, Karmilin K, Yiallouros I, Balbach M, Floehr J, Wachten D, Jahnen-Dechent W, Stöcker W. Intracellular activation of ovastacin mediates pre-fertilization hardening of the zona pellucida. Mol Hum Reprod 2018; 23:607-616. [PMID: 28911209 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gax040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION How and where is pro-ovastacin activated and how does active ovastacin regulate zona pellucida hardening (ZPH) and successful fertilization? STUDY FINDING Ovastacin is partially active before exocytosis and pre-hardens the zona pellucida (ZP) before fertilization. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The metalloproteinase ovastacin is stored in cortical granules, it cleaves zona pellucida protein 2 (ZP2) upon fertilization and thereby destroys the ZP sperm ligand and triggers ZPH. Female mice deficient in the extracellular circulating ovastacin-inhibitor fetuin-B are infertile due to pre-mature ZPH. STUDY DESIGN, SAMPLES/MATERIALS, METHODS We isolated oocytes from wild-type and ovastacin-deficient (Astlnull) FVB mice before and after fertilization (in vitro and in vivo) and quantified ovastacin activity and cleavage of ZP2 by immunoblot. We assessed ZPH by measuring ZP digestion time using α-chymotrypsin and by determining ZP2 cleavage. We determined cellular distribution of ovastacin by immunofluorescence using domain-specific ovastacin antibodies. Experiments were performed at least in triplicate with a minimum of 20 oocytes. Data were pre-analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk test. In case of normal distribution, significance was determined via two-sided Student's t-test, whereas in case of non-normal distribution via Mann-Whitney U-test. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Metaphase II (MII) oocytes contained both inactive pro-ovastacin and activated ovastacin. Immunoblot and ZP digestion assays revealed a partial cleavage of ZP2 even before fertilization in wild-type mice. Partial cleavage coincided with germinal-vesicle breakdown and MII, despite the presence of fetuin-B protein, an endogenous ovastacin inhibitor, in the follicular and oviductal fluid. Upon exocytosis, part of the C-terminal domain of ovastacin remained attached to the plasmalemma, while the N-terminal active ovastacin domain was secreted. This finding may resolve previously conflicting data showing that ovastacin acts both as an oolemmal receptor termed SAS1B (sperm acrosomal SLLP1 binding protein; SLLP, sperm lysozyme like protein) and a secreted protease mediating ZP2 cleavage. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION For this study, only oocytes isolated from wild-type and ovastacin-deficient FVB mice were investigated. Some experiments involved oocyte activation by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 to trigger ZPH. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study provides a detailed spatial and temporal view of pre-mature cleavage of ZP2 by ovastacin, which is known to adversely affect IVF rate in mice and humans. LARGE SCALE DATA None. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the Center of Natural Sciences and Medicine and by a start-up grant of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz to W.S., and by a grant from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and by the START program of the Medical Faculty of RWTH Aachen University to J.F. and W.J.D. There are no competing interests to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagen Körschgen
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Kuske
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Konstantin Karmilin
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Irene Yiallouros
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Melanie Balbach
- Max-Planck Research Group Molecular Physiology, Center of Advanced European Studies And Research (CAESAR), 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia Floehr
- Biointerface Laboratory, Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wachten
- Max-Planck Research Group Molecular Physiology, Center of Advanced European Studies And Research (CAESAR), 53175 Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital, University of Bonn, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Willi Jahnen-Dechent
- Biointerface Laboratory, Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Walter Stöcker
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
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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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Abstract
Human zona pellucida (ZP) matrix, a delicate network of thin interconnected filaments, is primarily composed of four glycoproteins, namely, ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4. All four zona proteins share common structural elements such as signal peptide, "ZP domain," consensus furin cleavage site, transmembrane-like domain, and short cytoplasmic tail. In addition, ZP1 and ZP4 also have "Trefoil domain." Recombinant/native human zona proteins have been used to investigate their binding characteristics to the capacitated and/or acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. These investigations revealed that ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 primarily bind to the head region of the capacitated human spermatozoa, whereas ZP2 binds to the acrosome-reacted sperm. However, using transgenic mice, N-terminal region of human ZP2 has also been shown to play an important role in binding of sperm to the egg. ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 lead to dose-dependent increase in acrosome reaction, suggesting that in humans more than one ZP glycoprotein is responsible for induction of acrosome reaction. Glycosylation of these proteins, in particular, N-linked glycosylation as well as sialyl-Lewisx, is essential for inducing acrosome reaction. Studies delineating downstream signaling events associated with induction of acrosome reaction reveal subtle differences between ZP3 and ZP1/ZP4 with respect to activation of Gi protein-coupled receptor and protein kinase A. The role of mutations in the zona proteins and ZP autoantibodies leading to infertility in women is suggestive and needs more rigorous experimentations for confirming their role in female infertility. The above-mentioned aspects of the human ZP glycoproteins have been discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Gupta
- Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India.
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41
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Dai X, Lu Y, Zhang M, Miao Y, Zhou C, Cui Z, Xiong B. Melatonin improves the fertilization ability of post-ovulatory aged mouse oocytes by stabilizing ovastacin and Juno to promote sperm binding and fusion. Hum Reprod 2018; 32:598-606. [PMID: 28137755 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the underlying mechanisms of the decline in the fertilization ability of post-ovulatory aged oocytes? SUMMARY ANSWER Melatonin improves the fertilization ability of post-ovulatory aged oocytes by reducing aging-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and inhibiting apoptosis and by maintaining the levels and localization of the fertilization proteins, ovastacin and Juno. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Following ovulation, the quality of mammalian metaphase II oocytes irreversibly deteriorates over time with a concomitant loss of fertilization ability. Melatonin has been found to prevent post-ovulatory oocyte aging and extend the window for optimal fertilization in mice. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Mouse oocytes were randomly assigned to three groups and aged in vitro for 0, 6, 12 and 24 h, respectively. Increasing concentrations of melatonin (10-9 M, 10-7 M, 10-5 M and 10-3 M) were added to the 24 h aging group. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Sperm binding assays, in-vitro fertilization, immunofluorescent staining and western blotting were performed to investigate key regulators and events during fertilization of post-ovulatory aged mouse oocytes. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We found that the actin cap which promotes a cortical granule (CG) free domain is disrupted with a re-distribution of CGs in the subcortex of aged oocytes. Ovastacin, a CG metalloendoprotease, is mis-located and prematurely exocytosed in aged oocytes with subsequent cleavage of the zona pellucida protein ZP2. This disrupts the sperm recognition domain and dramatically reduces the number of sperm binding to the zona pellucida. The abundance of Juno, the sperm receptor on the oocyte membrane, also is reduced in aged oocytes. Exposure of aged oocytes to melatonin significantly elevates in-vitro fertilization rates potentially by rescuing the above age-associated defects of fertilization, and reducing ROS and inhibiting apoptosis. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION We explored the mechanisms of the decline in fertilization ability decline in aged mouse oocytes, in vitro but not in vivo. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings may contribute to the development a more efficient method, involving melatonin, for improving IVF success rates. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (31571545) and the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20150677). The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxin Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yajuan Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Mianqun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yilong Miao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Changyin Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zhaokang Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Bo Xiong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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42
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Canosa S, Adriaenssens T, Coucke W, Dalmasso P, Revelli A, Benedetto C, Smitz J. Zona pellucida gene mRNA expression in human oocytes is related to oocyte maturity, zona inner layer retardance and fertilization competence. Mol Hum Reprod 2018; 23:292-303. [PMID: 28204536 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gax008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do the mRNA expression levels of zona pellucida (ZP) genes, ZP1, 2, 3 and 4 in oocyte and cumulus cells (CC) reveal relevant information on the oocyte? SUMMARY ANSWER The ZP mRNA expression in human oocytes is related to oocyte maturity, zona inner layer (IL) retardance and fertilization capacity. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY ZP structure and birefringence provide useful information on oocyte cytoplasmic maturation, developmental competence for embryonic growth, blastocyst formation and pregnancy. In order to understand the molecular basis of morphological changes in the ZP, in the current study, the polarized light microscopy (PLM) approach was combined with analysis of the expression of the genes encoding ZP1, 2, 3 and 4, both in the oocytes and in the surrounding CC. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This is a retrospective study comprising 98 supernumerary human cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) [80 Metaphase II (MII), 10 Metaphase I (MI) and 8 germinal vesicle (GV)] obtained from 39 patients (median age 33.4 years, range 22-42) after controlled ovarian stimulation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Single oocytes and their corresponding CC were analysed. Oocytes were examined using PLM, and quantitative RT-PCR was performed for ZP1, 2, 3 and 4 in these individual oocytes and their CC. Ephrin-B2 (EFNB2) mRNA was measured in CC as a control. Presence of ZP3 protein in CC and oocytes was investigated using immunocytochemistry. Data were analysed using one-parametric and multivariate analysis and were corrected for the potential impact of patient and cycle characteristics. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Oocytes contained ZP1/2/3 and 4 mRNA while in CC only ZP3 was quantifiable. Also ZP3 protein was detected in human CC. When comparing mature (MII) and immature oocytes (MI/GV) or their corresponding CC, ZP1/2 and 4 expression was lower in mature oocytes compared to the expression in immature oocytes (all P < 0.05) and ZP3 expression was lower in the CC of mature oocytes compared to the expression in CC of immature oocytes (P < 0.05). This coincided with a significantly smaller IL-ZP area and thickness in mature oocytes than in immature oocytes (all P < 0.05). In mature oocytes, IL-ZP retardance was significantly correlated with the expression of all four ZP mRNAs (all P < 0.05). The oocyte ZP3 expression was the main predictor of the fertilization capacity, next to IL-retardance and IL-thickness. Using stepwise regression analysis, IL-thickness combined with EFNB2 expression in CC and the patient's ovarian response resulted in a noninvasive oocyte fertilization prediction model. LARGE SCALE DATA Not applicable. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This is a retrospective study and the relation of oocyte mRNA levels to fertilization capacity is indirect as oocyte gene expression analysis required lysis of the oocyte. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Overall relations between PLM observations, mRNA expression changes and intrinsic oocyte competence were successfully documented. As such PLM and CC gene expression are confirmed as valuable noninvasive techniques to evaluate oocyte competence. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by University of Torino, Italy, WFWG UZ-Brussel and Agentschap voor Innovatie door Wetenschap en Technologie IWT 110680, Belgium. All authors declare that their participation in the study did not involve actual or potential conflicts of interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Canosa
- Chair Gynecology and Obstetrics 1, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, University Department of Surgical Sciences, S. Anna Hospital, Via Ventimiglia 3, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - T Adriaenssens
- Follicle Biology Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - W Coucke
- Department of Clinical Biology, Scientific Institute of Public Health, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - P Dalmasso
- Medical Statistics Unit, Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5b, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - A Revelli
- Chair Gynecology and Obstetrics 1, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, University Department of Surgical Sciences, S. Anna Hospital, Via Ventimiglia 3, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - C Benedetto
- Chair Gynecology and Obstetrics 1, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, University Department of Surgical Sciences, S. Anna Hospital, Via Ventimiglia 3, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - J Smitz
- Follicle Biology Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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43
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Gervasi MG, Visconti PE. Chang's meaning of capacitation: A molecular perspective. Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 83:860-874. [PMID: 27256723 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Dr. Min Chue Chang's contributions to the field of reproductive biology set the stage for the development of the contraceptive pill and in vitro fertilization. Throughout his publications, Dr. Chang was also able to transmit his view of the fertilization process in ways that organized research for newer generations of reproductive biologists. Particularly relevant for the achievement of in vitro fertilization in mammals was the discovery that the sperm required a period of residence in the female tract to become fertilization-competent; Dr. Chang and Dr. Austin, in Australia, independently reported this process, now known as sperm capacitation. This review discusses Dr. Chang's views on capacitation, and puts them in the context of recent advances in the understanding of the molecular basis of this process. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 860-874, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gracia Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, ISB, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, ISB, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts.
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44
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Sperm-borne phospholipase C zeta-1 ensures monospermic fertilization in mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1315. [PMID: 29358633 PMCID: PMC5778054 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19497-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm entry in mammalian oocytes triggers intracellular Ca2+ oscillations that initiate resumption of the meiotic cell cycle and subsequent activations. Here, we show that phospholipase C zeta 1 (PLCζ1) is the long-sought sperm-borne oocyte activation factor (SOAF). Plcz1 gene knockout (KO) mouse spermatozoa fail to induce Ca2+ changes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In contrast to ICSI, Plcz1 KO spermatozoa induced atypical patterns of Ca2+ changes in normal fertilizations, and most of the fertilized oocytes ceased development at the 1–2-cell stage because of oocyte activation failure or polyspermy. We further discovered that both zona pellucida block to polyspermy (ZPBP) and plasma membrane block to polyspermy (PMBP) were delayed in oocytes fertilized with Plcz1 KO spermatozoa. With the observation that polyspermy is rare in astacin-like metalloendopeptidase (Astl) KO female oocytes that lack ZPBP, we conclude that PMPB plays more critical role than ZPBP in vivo. Finally, we obtained healthy pups from male mice carrying human infertile PLCZ1 mutation by single sperm ICSI supplemented with Plcz1 mRNA injection. These results suggest that mammalian spermatozoa have a primitive oocyte activation mechanism and that PLCζ1 is a SOAF that ensures oocyte activation steps for monospermic fertilization in mammals.
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45
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Avella MA, Baibakov BA, Jimenez-Movilla M, Sadusky AB, Dean J. ZP2 peptide beads select human sperm in vitro, decoy mouse sperm in vivo, and provide reversible contraception. Sci Transl Med 2017; 8:336ra60. [PMID: 27122613 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aad9946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Gamete recognition in the female reproductive tract occurs at the surface of the zona pellucida surrounding ovulated eggs. The acellular zona matrix is composed of three (mouse) or four (human) proteins (ZP1 to ZP4), and the amino terminus of ZP2 is the primary sperm-binding ligand. Mouse and human sperm bind, respectively, to recombinant moZP2(35-149) and huZP2(39-154) peptides attached to agarose beads. Mouse ZP2 peptide beads markedly inhibited fertilization of ovulated mouse eggs inseminated in vitro and incubated overnight. Similarly, human ZP2 peptide beads prevented sperm binding and penetration of transgenic ZP2(Rescue) zonae pellucidae, in which human ZP2 replaced mouse ZP2. When mouse ZP2 peptide beads were transcervically deposited into the uterus, there was no change in mating behavior and copulatory plugs were present, but bound sperm did not progress into the oviduct and female mice were infertile. On average, contraception lasted >10 estrus cycles but was reversible with no detectable pathology in the reproductive tract. Despite the long-term contraceptive effect, initial sperm binding to the peptide beads was reversible in vitro. We exploited this observation to select human sperm that were better able to penetrate the zonae of human ZP2(Rescue) eggs, and the approach holds promise for identifying superior sperm for human assisted reproductive technologies (ART). We conclude that the amino-terminal ZP2 peptide supports sperm binding, which is initially reversible but, with time, becomes irreversible. Short-term, reversible binding may be useful in selecting sperm for ART, and long-term binding decoys sperm and results in effective contraception in mice.
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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, USA
| | - Boris A Baibakov
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Maria Jimenez-Movilla
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, University of Murcia, IMIB, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Anna Burkart Sadusky
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jurrien Dean
- 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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46
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Que EL, Duncan FE, Bayer AR, Philips SJ, Roth EW, Bleher R, Gleber SC, Vogt S, Woodruff TK, O'Halloran TV. Zinc sparks induce physiochemical changes in the egg zona pellucida that prevent polyspermy. Integr Biol (Camb) 2017; 9:135-144. [PMID: 28102396 DOI: 10.1039/c6ib00212a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
During fertilization or chemically-induced egg activation, the mouse egg releases billions of zinc atoms in brief bursts known as 'zinc sparks.' The zona pellucida (ZP), a glycoprotein matrix surrounding the egg, is the first structure zinc ions encounter as they diffuse away from the plasma membrane. Following fertilization, the ZP undergoes changes described as 'hardening', which prevent multiple sperm from fertilizing the egg and thereby establish a block to polyspermy. A major event in zona hardening is cleavage of ZP2 proteins by ovastacin; however, the overall physiochemical changes contributing to zona hardening are not well understood. Using X-ray fluorescence microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and biological function assays, we tested the hypothesis that zinc release contributes to ZP hardening. We found that the zinc content in the ZP increases by 300% following activation and that zinc exposure modulates the architecture of the ZP matrix. Importantly, zinc-induced structural changes of the ZP have a direct biological consequence; namely, they reduce the ability of sperm to bind to the ZP. These results provide a paradigm-shifting model in which fertilization-induced zinc sparks contribute to the polyspermy block by altering conformations of the ZP matrix. This adds a previously unrecognized factor, namely zinc, to the process of ZP hardening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Que
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Lurie 10-121, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Amanda R Bayer
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Steven J Philips
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Eric W Roth
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental Center, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Reiner Bleher
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental Center, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Sophie C Gleber
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Stefan Vogt
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Teresa K Woodruff
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Lurie 10-121, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. and Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Thomas V O'Halloran
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA and Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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47
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Satouh Y, Nozawa K, Yamagata K, Fujimoto T, Ikawa M. Viable offspring after imaging of Ca2+ oscillations and visualization of the cortical reaction in mouse eggs. Biol Reprod 2017; 96:563-575. [PMID: 28339615 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
– During mammalian fertilization, egg Ca 2+ oscillations are known to play pivotal roles in triggering downstream events such as resumption of the cell cycle and the establishment of blocks to polyspermy. However, viable offspring have not been obtained after monitoring Ca 2+ oscillations, and their spatiotemporal links to subsequent events are still to be examined. Therefore, the development of imaging methods to avoid phototoxic damage while labeling these events is required. Here, we examined the usefulness of genetically encoded Ca 2+ indicators for optical imaging (GECOs), in combination with spinning-disk confocal imaging. The Ca 2+ imaging of fertilized mouse eggs with GEM-, G-, or R-GECO recorded successful oscillations (8.19 ± 0.31, 7.56 ± 0.23, or 7.53 ± 0.27 spikes in the first 2 h, respectively), similar to those obtained with chemical indicators. Then, in vitro viability tests revealed that imaging with G- or R-GECO did not interfere with the rate of development to the blastocyst stage (61.8 or 70.0%, respectively, vs 75.0% in control). Furthermore, two-cell transfer to recipient female mice after imaging with G- or R-GECO resulted in a similar birthrate (53.3 or 52.0%, respectively) to that of controls (48.7%). Next, we assessed the quality of the cortical reaction (CR) in artificially activated or fertilized eggs using fluorescently labeled Lens culinaris agglutinin fluorescein isothiocyanate. Multicolor imaging demonstrated that the first few Ca 2+ spikes are sufficient for the completion of the CR and subsequent hardening of the zona pellucida in mouse eggs. These methods provide a framework for studying Ca 2+ dynamics in mammalian fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhkoh Satouh
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kaori Nozawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuo Yamagata
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Kinokawa, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Takao Fujimoto
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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48
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Zhang M, Miao Y, Chen Q, Cai M, Dong W, Dai X, Lu Y, Zhou C, Cui Z, Xiong B. BaP exposure causes oocyte meiotic arrest and fertilization failure to weaken female fertility. FASEB J 2017; 32:342-352. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700514r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mianqun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Yilong Miao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Qian Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Meng Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Wenkang Dong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Xiaoxin Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Yajuan Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Changyin Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Zhaokang Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Bo Xiong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
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49
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Raj I, Sadat Al Hosseini H, Dioguardi E, Nishimura K, Han L, Villa A, de Sanctis D, Jovine L. Structural Basis of Egg Coat-Sperm Recognition at Fertilization. Cell 2017. [PMID: 28622512 PMCID: PMC5480393 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Recognition between sperm and the egg surface marks the beginning of life in all sexually reproducing organisms. This fundamental biological event depends on the species-specific interaction between rapidly evolving counterpart molecules on the gametes. We report biochemical, crystallographic, and mutational studies of domain repeats 1–3 of invertebrate egg coat protein VERL and their interaction with cognate sperm protein lysin. VERL repeats fold like the functionally essential N-terminal repeat of mammalian sperm receptor ZP2, whose structure is also described here. Whereas sequence-divergent repeat 1 does not bind lysin, repeat 3 binds it non-species specifically via a high-affinity, largely hydrophobic interface. Due to its intermediate binding affinity, repeat 2 selectively interacts with lysin from the same species. Exposure of a highly positively charged surface of VERL-bound lysin suggests that complex formation both disrupts the organization of egg coat filaments and triggers their electrostatic repulsion, thereby opening a hole for sperm penetration and fusion. Sperm-binding repeats of mollusk VERL and mouse ZP2 egg coat proteins fold similarly Structures of VERL/lysin complexes reveal the atomic basis of egg coat-sperm recognition A medium-affinity VERL repeat selectively binds lysin from the same species VERL/lysin recognition suggests a mechanism for sperm penetration through the egg coat
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Raj
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden
| | - Hamed Sadat Al Hosseini
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden
| | - Elisa Dioguardi
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden
| | - Kaoru Nishimura
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden
| | - Ling Han
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden
| | - Alessandra Villa
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden
| | - Daniele de Sanctis
- ESRF - The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden.
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50
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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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