Role of carbohydrates in receptor-mediated fertilization in mammals

The mouse sperm receptor, called ZP3, is a glycoprotein (83,000 Mr) that consists of a 44,000 Mr polypeptide chain (402 amino acids), three or four N-linked oligosaccharides, and an undetermined number of O-linked oligosaccharides. There are more than 10(9) copies of ZP3 present throughout the mouse egg extracellular coat, or zona pellucida. As a prelude to fertilization, each acrosome-intact sperm binds in a relatively species-specific manner to tens-of-thousands of copies of ZP3 at the surface of the zona pellucida. Binding to ZP3 induces sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction (membrane fusion) and, consequently, enables them to penetrate through the zona pellucida and to reach, and then fuse with, egg plasma membrane (fertilization). Purified ZP3, as well as a specific class of ZP3-derived O-linked oligosaccharides (3900 Mr), exhibit sperm receptor activity in vitro. The oligosaccharides, which represent a relatively low percentage of total ZP3 O-linked oligosaccharides, account for the glycoprotein's sperm receptor activity in vitro (i.e., recognition and binding). Furthermore, either enzymic removal or modification of certain sugars that constitute these oligosaccharides results in destruction of sperm receptor activity. These and other findings strongly suggest that during mammalian fertilization carbohydrates play a fundamental role in species-specific sperm-egg interactions.

Egg extracellular coat proteins: from fish to mammals

The extracellular coat surrounding fish (vitelline envelope; VE) and mammalian (zona pellucida; ZP) eggs is composed of long, interconnected filaments. Fish VE and mammalian ZP proteins that make up the filaments are highly conserved groups of proteins that are related to each other, as well as to their amphibian and avian egg counterparts. The rainbow trout (O. mykiss) egg VE is composed of 3 proteins, called VEalpha (approximately 58 kDa), VEbeta (approximately 54 kDa), and VEgamma (approximately 47 kDa). The mouse (M. musculus) egg ZP also is composed of 3 proteins, called ZP1 (approximately 200 kDa), ZP2 (approximately 120 kDa), and ZP3 (approximately 83 kDa). Overall, trout VE and mouse ZP proteins share approximately 25% sequence identity and have features in common; these include an N-terminal signal sequence, a ZP domain, a consensus furin cleavage-site, and a C-terminal tail. VEalpha, VEbeta, and ZP1 also have a trefoil or P-type domain upstream of the ZP domain. VEalpha and VEbeta are very similar in sequence (approximately 65% sequence identity) and are related to ZP1 and ZP2, whereas VEgamma is related to ZP3 (approximately 25% sequence identity). Mouse ZP proteins are synthesized and secreted exclusively by growing oocytes in the ovary. Trout VE proteins are synthesized by the liver under hormonal control and transported in the bloodstream to growing oocytes in the ovary. The trout VE is assembled from VEalpha/gamma and VEbeta/gamma heterodimers. The mouse ZP is assembled from ZP2/3 heterodimers and crosslinked by ZP1. Despite approximately 400 million years separating the appearance of trout and mice, and the change from external to internal fertilization and development, trout VE and mouse ZP proteins have many common structural features; as do avian and amphibian egg VE proteins. However, the site of synthesis of trout and mouse egg extracellular coat proteins has changed over time from the liver to the ovary, necessitating some changes in the C-terminal region of the polypeptides that regulates processing, secretion, and assembly of the proteins.

Mouse zona pellucida genes and glycoproteins

The zona pellucida (ZP) is a thick extracellular coat that surrounds all mammalian eggs. The ZP plays important roles during oogenesis, fertilization, and preimplantation development. The mouse ZP consists of only three glycoproteins, called ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3. All three glycoproteins are essential structural components of the ZP. Additionally, ZP3 serves as a primary sperm receptor and acrosome reaction-inducer, and ZP2 serves as a secondary sperm receptor during fertilization. ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 are encoded by single-copy genes present on three different chromosomes. The genes are expressed exclusively by mouse oocytes as they grow and the cellular specificity can be ascribed to cis-acting sequences close to the site of transcription initiation and to certain trans-acting factors. Concomitantly, ZP polypeptides are synthesized, modified with N- and O-linked oligosaccharides, secreted, and assembled into crosslinked filaments that exhibit a structural repeat. Nascent ZP glycoproteins are incorporated into large secretory vesicles that fuse with the oocyte plasma membrane and deposit nascent ZP glycoproteins into the innermost layer of the thickening ZP. Each ZP polypeptide possesses several characteristic features, including an N-terminal signal sequence, a ZP domain, a consensus furin cleavage site, and a C-terminal transmembrane domain. The latter is required for assembly of nascent ZP polypeptides into a ZP, cleavage at the consensus furin cleavage site is required for secretion, and the ZP domain supports protein:protein interactions during ZP assembly. At ovulation, when meiotic maturation of oocytes occurs and chromosomes condense into bivalents, expression of the three ZP genes ceases. Using "knockout mice", in the absence of either ZP2 or ZP3 expression, a ZP fails to assemble around growing oocytes and females are infertile. There is no effect on males. In the absence of ZP1 expression, a disorganized ZP assembles around growing oocytes and females exhibit reduced fertility. These observations are consistent with the current model for ZP structure in which ZP2 and ZP3 form long Z filaments crosslinked by ZP1.

Association of egg zona pellucida glycoprotein mZP3 with sperm protein sp56 during fertilization in mice

Purified mouse sperm receptor, a zona pellucida glycoprotein called mZP3, binds to plasma membrane overlying acrosome-intact sperm heads (P.M. Wassarman, 1999, Cell 96, 175-183). Some evidence suggests that mZP3 binds to sp56, a protein reported to be associated peripherally with the plasma membrane of acrosome-intact sperm heads (J.D. Bleil and P.M. Wassarman, 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 87, 7215-7219; A. Cheng et al., 1994, J. Cell Biol. 125, 867-878). Here, we report that membrane vesicles prepared from acrosome-intact sperm contain sp56. When these vesicles are incubated with eggs they inhibit binding of sperm to eggs in vitro (ID50 approximately 50-100 microg protein/ml). On the other hand, a monoclonal antibody directed against sp56 relieves the inhibition of binding of sperm to eggs by membrane vesicles. As expected, incubation of intact sperm with the antibody directed against sp56 inhibits binding of the sperm to eggs. Results of immunoprecipitation of sperm extracts incubated with mZP3, by either a polyclonal antibody directed against mZP3 or a monoclonal antibody directed against sp56, suggest that mZP3 is specifically associated with sp56. Results of laser scanning confocal microscopy of fixed sperm probed with antibodies directed against either sp56 or a approximately 155 kDa acrosomal protein, suggest that the two proteins are present in the acrosome, but with different distributions. Furthermore, confocal images of sperm, fixed after exposure to purified mZP3 and probed with antibodies against mZP3 and sp56, reveal overlap between mZP3 and sp56 at the surface of the sperm head. The possible implications of these results are discussed in the context of mammalian fertilization.

Multiple functions of mouse zona pellucida glycoprotein mZP3, the sperm receptor

Zona pellucida glycoprotein mZP3 is a structural glycoprotein, a sperm receptor, and an acrosome reaction-inducer. The latter two functions are mediated, at least in part, by mZP3 oligosaccharides. mZP3 is unique to mammalian eggs, from mice to humans, although related glycoproteins are found in vitelline envelopes of a variety of eggs, from fish to birds.

Towards the molecular basis of sperm and egg interaction during mammalian fertilization

During the past 2 decades, a number of genes have been cloned from mammals which encode polypeptides that participate in the process of fertilization. Among these are glycoproteins ZP1-3 that constitute the zona pellucida of eggs from mice to human beings. In mice, one of these glycoproteins, mZP3, acts as a primary sperm receptor and acrosome reaction-inducer. The evidence suggests that acrosome-intact sperm recognize and bind to a specific class of mZP3 oligosaccharides present on two serine residues (O-linked) located near the carboxy-terminus of the polypeptide. Mutagenesis of either of these residues results in the synthesis of an inactive form of the receptor. Therefore, mammalian fertilization is a carbohydrate-mediated event. It is possible that changes in the structure of these oligosaccharides (e.g., composition, sequence, linkages, modifications, etc.) could account for species-specific binding of sperm to eggs. Stably transfected somatic cells, null mutant animals, and DNA constructs are now available to test this possibility both in vivo and in vitro.

A profile of fertilization in mammals

Fertilization is defined as the process of union of two gametes, eggs and sperm. When mammalian eggs and sperm come into contact in the female oviduct, a series of steps is set in motion that can lead to fertilization and ultimately to development of new individuals. The pathway begins with species-specific binding of sperm to eggs and ends a relatively short time later with fusion of a single sperm with each egg. Although this process has been investigated extensively, only recently have the molecular components of egg and sperm that participate in the mammalian fertilization pathway been identified. Some of these components may participate in gamete adhesion and exocytosis, whereas others may be involved in gamete fusion. Here we describe selected aspects of mammalian fertilization and address some of the latest experimental evidence that bears on this important area of research.

Secretion of mouse ZP3, the sperm receptor, requires cleavage of its polypeptide at a consensus furin cleavage-site

The mouse egg extracellular coat, or zona pellucida, consists of three glycoproteins, called mZP1-3. Each glycoprotein possesses a consensus sequence recognized by the furin family of proprotein convertases. Previously, it was reported that mZP2 and mZP3 are cleaved at their consensus furin cleavage-sites located near the C-terminus of the polypeptides [Litscher, E. S., Qi, H., and Wassarman, P. M. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 12280-12287]. Here, use of site-directed mutagenesis of the mZP3 gene and a specific inhibitor of furin-like enzymes revealed that secretion of nascent mZP3 from transfected cells is dependent on cleavage of mZP3 at its consensus furin cleavage-site. The dependence of secretion on cleavage represents a novel function for furin family enzymes.

Zona pellucida glycoprotein mZP3 produced in milk of transgenic mice is active as a sperm receptor, but can be lethal to newborns

Mouse egg zona pellucida glycoprotein mZP3 (approximately 83 kDa M(r)) serves as a species-specific sperm receptor and acrosome reaction-inducer during fertilization in mice. These biological activities are dependent on certain mZP3 serine/threonine- (O-) linked oligosaccharides present at the combining-site for sperm. In an attempt to produce large amounts of biologically active mZP3, we generated several transgenic mouse lines carrying the full-length mZP3 gene fused to the beta-casein gene promoter and transcription termination sequence. We found that different transgenic mouse lines have different amounts of recombinant mZP3 (approximately 63 kDa M(r)) in milk of lactating females, from approximately 0.3 to 3.5 micrograms/microliter of milk. In all cases, purified milk-mZP3 is active as a sperm receptor and acrosome reaction-inducer in vitro. Unexpectedly, we also found that development of litters from these transgenic mice is related to the amount of mZP3 in the mother's milk. In the most extreme case, litters from the highest expressers fail to live beyond about day-7 post partum unless placed immediately after birth with surrogate wild-type mothers. Litters from lower expressers initially display a complex phenotype that includes effects on hair and body growth, but some of the mice survive and, in time, are restored to a wild-type phenotype. These results demonstrate that relatively large amounts of biologically active mZP3 can be produced in transgenic mouse milk for structural and other studies, but that the presence of mZP3 in milk has dramatic developmental effects on litters, ranging from retarded hair and body growth to death of newborn pups.

Mouse zona pellucida glycoproteins mZP2 and mZP3 undergo carboxy-terminal proteolytic processing in growing oocytes

The extracellular coat, or zona pellucida, of the mouse egg consists of three glycoproteins, called mZP1-3. The glycoproteins are synthesized and secreted concomitantly by growing oocytes during their 2-3-week growth phase. Each of the glycoproteins has a consensus furin cleavage site (-Arg-X-Lys/Arg-Arg-) near the C-terminus of their polypeptide. Here, several approaches were employed to determine whether nascent mZP2 and mZP3 are cleaved at the consensus sites, -Arg-Ser-Lys-Arg- and -Arg-Asn-Arg-Arg-, respectively, prior to secretion. Molecular mass determinations of deglycosylated mZP2 and mZP3 suggest that their polypeptides are approximately 9 and approximately 7 kDa smaller, respectively, than predicted from exon sequences. Two-dimensional thin-layer chromatographic analyses were also carried out to identify amino acids released from the C-terminus of mZP2 and mZP3 by carboxypeptidase B. On the basis of exon sequences, there are no Arg residues at the predicted C-terminus of the mature glycoproteins. However, for both mZP2 and mZP3, Arg residues were released by carboxypeptidase B, consistent with processing at the consensus furin cleavage site. Furthermore, an antiserum raised against an mZP3 peptide, located downstream of the consensus furin cleavage site, failed to label purified mZP3 on Western immunoblots. The antiserum also failed to label the zona pellucida of oocytes examined by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that mZP2 and mZP3 are processed at their consensus furin cleavage site prior to secretion and incorporation into the zona pellucida.

Fertilization in animals

Fertilization in mammalian and nonmammalian organisms has many features in common. These features include a final maturation phase for sperm and eggs, species-specific binding of sperm to eggs, penetration by sperm of one or more extracellular coats surrounding eggs, fusion of sperm and eggs, and activation of eggs. Implicit in this are a variety of basic molecular events, including receptor-ligand interactions, signalling cascades, specific proteolysis, and nuclear transformations. Here, several of these events are addressed for fertilization in animals as diverse as starfish and mice.

Secretion of zona pellucida glycoprotein mZP2 by growing oocytes from mZP3(+/+) and mZP3(-/-) mice

The mouse egg extracellular coat, or zona pellucida (ZP), is composed of three glycoproteins, called mZP1-3, which are synthesized and secreted concomitantly by growing oocytes. Disruption of the mZP3 gene by targeted mutagenesis yields mice that are homozygous nulls (mZP3(-/-)). Growing oocytes from mZP3(-/-) mice do not synthesize mZP3 mRNA or protein and, as a result, do not assemble a ZP. Here, we examined secretion of mZP2 by growing oocytes and eggs from mZP3(-/-) mice, as well as incorporation of mZP2 into the ZP of oocytes from mZP3(+/+) mice. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) of antibody-labeled samples showed that, indeed, mZP2 was synthesized and secreted by oocytes isolated from mZP3(-/-) mice and cultured in vitro. Nascent mZP2 was found in the culture medium, associated with the surface of the plasma membrane of growing oocytes, and in the oocyte cytoplasm. By contrast, mZP2 was barely detectable at any of these sites when ovulated eggs from mZP3(-/-) mice were examined. Examination of oocytes from wild-type (mZP3(+/+)) mice showed that, while a portion of nascent mZP2 was assembled into the ZP (approximately 40%), here too a significant fraction was secreted into the culture medium (approximately 60%). Similar results also were obtained when intact pre-antral follicles were isolated from mZP3(+/+) mice and cultured in vitro. Several of these observations are consistent with previous results obtained with oocytes from heterozygous null mice (mZP3(+/-)). Furthermore, the results suggest that ZP assembly from nascent glycoproteins may be a stochastic process that requires the presence of both mZP2 and mZP3 and occurs completely outside the growing oocyte.

The Parkes Lecture. Zona pellucida glycoprotein mZP3: a versatile player during mammalian fertilization

All mammalian eggs are surrounded by a relatively thick extracellular coat, the zona pellucida (ZP), which facilitates fertilization of eggs by a single spermatozoon. The mouse egg ZP is constructed of only three glycoproteins, termed mZP1-3. Each of these glycoproteins consists of a unique polypeptide that is heterogeneously glycosylated with both asparagine-(N-)linked and serine/threonine-(O-)linked oligosaccharides. Polypeptides of ZP glycoproteins are highly conserved among mammalian species and are similar to polypeptides of egg vitelline envelope glycoproteins of fish, birds and amphibians. One of the mouse ZP glycoproteins, mZP3, serves as both a receptor for spermatozoa and an inducer of the acrosome reaction during fertilization. Free-swimming acrosome-intact spermatozoa recognize and bind to certain serine-(O-)linked oligosaccharides located close to the carboxy terminus of mZP3 polypeptide and, after binding, undergo the acrosome reaction (cellular exocytosis). In this review, in addition to the background information presented, results of recent experiments using homologous recombination to produce mZP3 null mice and site-directed mutagenesis to inactivate mZP3 as a sperm receptor and inducer of the acrosome reaction are presented and discussed.

Inactivation of the mouse sperm receptor, mZP3, by site-directed mutagenesis of individual serine residues located at the combining site for sperm

To initiate fertilization, mouse sperm bind to Ser- (O-) linked oligosaccharides located at the sperm combining site of zona pellucida glycoprotein mZP3. Apparently, the oligosaccharides are present on one or more of five Ser residues clustered in the carboxyl-terminal region of the mZP3 polypeptide. Here, each of the Ser residues, as well as an intervening Asn residue, was converted to a small, nonhydroxy amino acid by site-directed mutagenesis. Mouse embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells were then stably transfected with the wild-type and mutated mZP3 genes. In each case, transfected cells synthesized and secreted recombinant EC-mZP3 into the culture medium. The glycoproteins were partially purified and assayed for their ability to inhibit binding of sperm to ovulated eggs in vitro. As compared with wild-type EC-mZP3, mutations of Ser-329, Ser-331, or Ser-333 had no effect on sperm receptor activity. Mutation of Asn-330, a potential N-linked glycosylation site, also had no effect on sperm receptor activity. On the other hand, mutation of either Ser-332 or Ser-334, or mutation of Ser-332, Ser-333, and Ser-334, resulted in complete inactivation of EC-mZP3 as a sperm receptor. These results suggest that Ser-332 and Ser-334, residues conserved in mouse, hamster, and human ZP3, are essential for sperm receptor activity.

Ovarian development in mice bearing homozygous or heterozygous null mutations in zona pellucida glycoprotein gene mZP3

The plasma membrane of all mammalian eggs is surrounded by a thick extracellular coat, the zona pellucida (ZP), whose paramount function is to regulate species-specific fertilization. The mouse egg ZP is composed of only three glycoproteins, mZP1-3, that are synthesized and secreted exclusively by oocytes during their 2-3 week growth phase. Disruption of the mZP3 gene by targeted mutagenesis in embryonic stem (ES) cells yields mice heterozygous (mZP3 +/-) or homozygous (mZP3-/-) for the null mutation. As expected, male mice bearing the null mutation are indistinguishable from wild-type males with respect to viability and fertility. Female mZP3 +/- mice are as fertile as wild-type animals, but their eggs have a thin ZP (approximately 2.7 microns thick) as compared to the ZP (approximately 6.2 microns thick) of eggs from wild-type animals. On the other hand, female mZP3-/- mice are infertile and their eggs lack a ZP. The infertility apparently is due to the lack of a sufficient number of eggs in oviducts of superovulated mZP3-/- females. Light micrographs reveal that development of ovarian follicles is often retarded in mZP3-/- mice as compared to wild-type animals. This is manifested as reduced ovarian weights, reduced numbers of Graafian follicles, and reduced numbers of fully-grown oocytes in mZP3-/- females. It seems likely that the pleiotropic effects of the homozygous null mutation on ovarian development may be due, at least in part, to disruption of intercellular communication between growing oocytes and their surrounding follicle cells.

Mutant female mice carrying a single mZP3 allele produce eggs with a thin zona pellucida, but reproduce normally

The mouse egg zona pellucida (ZP) is composed of three glycoproteins, called mZP1-3. Disruption of the mZP3 gene by targeted mutagenesis yields mice that are homozygous (mZP3-/-) for the null mutation; although the mutant mice are viable, females are infertile and their eggs lack a ZP. On the other hand, females heterozygous (mZP3+/-) for the mutation are fertile and their eggs have a ZP. Here, we examined fully grown oocytes from mZP3+/- females and found that, although they have a ZP, it is less than half the width (approximately 2.7 microns; volume, approximately 56 pl) of the ZP of oocytes from wild-type (mZP3+/+) mice (approximately 6.2 microns; volume, approximately 145 pl). Oocyte ZP were purified from ovarian homogenates by gradient centrifugation. Immunostaining of purified ZP on Western gels permitted an estimate to be made of the relative amounts of mZP3 and mZP2 present in the ZP of oocytes from mZP3+/+ and mZP3+/- mice. We found that the ZP from mZP3+/- mice contained, on average, 55 +/- 15% of the mZP3 and 44 +/- 8% of the mZP2 present in the ZP of mZP3+/+ mice; a result quite consistent with the observed widths and calculated volumes of the ZP. Despite the presence of a relatively thin ZP surrounding their eggs, reproduction of female mZP3+/- mice was indistinguishable from female mZP3+/+ mice. These results strongly suggest that, when a single mZP3 allele is present, approximately half the wild-type amount of mZP3 and approximately half the wild-type amount of mZP2 is assembled into a ZP. While this produces a relatively thin ZP, it apparently has no affect on reproduction. Furthermore, these results are consistent with the current molecular model for ZP structure.

Zona pellucida glycoprotein mZP3 bioactivity is not dependent on the extent of glycosylation of its polypeptide or on sulfation and sialylation of its oligosaccharides

During fertilization in mice, free-swimming sperm bind to mZP3, one of three egg zona pellucida glycoproteins. Sperm recognize and bind to specific serine/threonine-linked (O-linked) oligosaccharides located at the mZP3 combining site for sperm. Shortly after binding to mZP3, sperm undergo the acrosome reaction, a form of cellular exocytosis. Here, we examined the influence of extent of glycosylation, sulfation, and sialylation of mZP3 (M(r) approximately 65,000-100,000) on its bioactivity; i.e. its ability to inhibit binding of sperm to eggs and to induce the acrosome reaction in vitro. Low (av. M(r) approximately 70,000), medium (av. M(r) approximately 82,000), and high (av. M(r) approximately 94,000) M(r) fractions of mZP3 were purified and shown to vary in extent of asparagine-linked (N-linked) glycosylation. All three size-fractions exhibited bioactivity, suggesting that the ability of mZP3 to inhibit binding of sperm to eggs is not related to the extent of glycosylation of its polypeptide (M(r) approximately 44,000). Digestion of mZP3 by neuraminidase decreased its average M(r) from approximately 83,000 to approximately 77,000 and increased its average pI from approximately 4.7 to approximately 6.0, but did not significantly affect mZP3 bioactivity. Terminal sialic acid largely accounts for the glycoprotein's acidic nature, but is not an essential element of the mZP3 combining site for sperm. Experiments with stably transfected embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells that secrete bioactive EC-mZP3 revealed that, of the sulfate present, approximately 70–75% was located on N-linked and approximately 25–30% on O-linked oligosaccharides. EC-mZP3 devoid of sulfate inhibited binding of sperm to eggs and induced the acrosome reaction to the same extent as sulfated EC-mZP3. These results suggest that sulfation of EC-mZP3 oligosaccharides is not essential for bioactivity. Overall, these findings contrast with those reported for certain other glycoproteins involved in cellular adhesion that require sulfate and/or sialic acid for bioactivity.

Recombinant hamster sperm receptors that exhibit species-specific binding to sperm

Previous studies have shown that mouse sperm bind to hamster eggs and hamster sperm bind to mouse eggs in vitro. Furthermore, sperm receptor glycoprotein isolated from the zona pellucida of unfertilised hamster (hZP3) and mouse (mZP3) eggs binds to sperm from the heterologous species. Here, we expressed the hZP3 gene, under control of a constitutive promoter (pgk-1), in mouse embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with the hZP3 gene. In both cases, recombinant hZP3 (EC-hZP3 and CHO-hZP3) secreted into the culture medium was partially purified by high-performance liquid chromatography on a size-exclusion column and assayed for bioactivity using mouse and hamster gametes. Unlike hamster egg hZP3, which binds to both mouse and hamster sperm, EC-hZP3 and CHO-hZP3 exhibits species-specific binding to hamster sperm and induce hamster sperm, but not mouse sperm, to undergo the acrosome reaction in vitro. These results provide further evidence that species-specific binding of sperm to eggs in mammals is carbohydrate-mediated. Furthermore, the results suggest that recombinant forms of mammalian sperm receptors may be useful in assessing the molecular basis of species-specific fertilisation in mammals.

Targeted disruption of the mZP3 gene results in production of eggs lacking a zona pellucida and infertility in female mice

Mammalian eggs are surrounded by a thick extracellular coat, the zona pellucida, that plays important roles during early development. The mouse egg zona pellucida is constructed of three glycoproteins, called mZP1, mZP2, and mZP3. The gene encoding mZP3 is expressed only by growing oocytes during a 2- to 3-week period of oogenesis. Here, the mZP3 gene was disrupted by targeted mutagenesis using homologous recombination in mouse embryonic stem cells. Viable female mice homozygous for the mutated mZP3 allele (mZP3-/-) were obtained. These mice are indistinguishable in appearance from wild-type (mZP3+/+) and heterozygous (mZP3+/-) littermates. However, although ovaries of juvenile and adult mZP3-/- females possess growing and fully grown oocytes, the oocytes completely lack a zona pellucida. Consistent with this observation, eggs recovered from oviducts of superovulated, adult mZP3-/- females also lack a zona pellucida. Thus far, mZP3-/- females mated with wild-type males have failed to become pregnant.

Characterization of mouse ZP3-derived glycopeptide, gp55, that exhibits sperm receptor and acrosome reaction-inducing activity in vitro

During fertilization, free-swimming mouse sperm bind to mZP3 (approximately 83 000 Mr), one of three zona pellucida glycoproteins, and once bound undergo the acrosome reaction, a type of cellular exocytosis [Wassarman, P. M., & Litscher, E. S. (1995) Curr. Top. Dev. Biol. 30, 1-19]. Sperm recognize and bind to specific serine/threonine-linked oligosaccharides located at the mZP3 combining site for sperm. Here, we examined certain characteristics of gp55, a approximately 55 000 Mr glycopeptide derived from the carboxy-terminal half of mZP3 polypeptide to which sperm bind [Rosiere, T. K., & Wassarman, P. M. (1992) Dev. Biol. 154, 309-317]. gp55 is heterogeneous with respect to Mr (approximately 47 000-62 000 Mr) and has a relatively low pI (approximately 4.3-4.5) compared to the polypeptide portion of the glycopeptide (pI approximately 6.5). gp55 inhibits binding of sperm to eggs (i.e., exhibits sperm receptor activity) and induces sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction in vitro at about the same concentrations required for intact mZP3 (approximately 50-200 nM). Each of three different size-fractions of gp55, separated by SDS-PAGE, also exhibits bioactivity in vitro. Removal of asparagine-linked (N-linked) oligosaccharides from gp55, by extensive digestion with N-glycanase, reduces its Mr to approximately 21 000 and increases it pI to approximately 5.3, but does not significantly affect its ability to inhibit binding of sperm to eggs or to induce sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction. Similarly, digestion of gp55 with either endo-beta-galactosidase or neuraminidase alters its Mr and/or pI, but does not significantly affect either of its bioactivities. These observations are consistent with the proposal that neither N-linked oligosaccharides nor sialic acid is an essential element of the mZP3 combining site for sperm. They also indicate that a relatively small mZP3 glycopeptide is able to induce sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction (i.e., cellular exocytosis) in vitro.

Towards molecular mechanisms for gamete adhesion and fusion during mammalian fertilization

The process of fertilization is fundamental to the maintenance of life. The ability of unfertilized eggs and free-swimming sperm to recognize, adhere to, and fuse with each other are vital aspects of the fertilization process. Significant progress has been made recently in identifying and characterizing (glyco)proteins that are associated with the surface of mammalian gametes and that support adhesion and fusion of eggs and sperm. As a result, there are currently reasons to believe that, in mammals, species-specific gamete adhesion is carbohydrate-mediated and gamete fusion is intergrin-mediated.

Transgenic mice with reduced numbers of functional sperm receptors on their eggs reproduce normally

To initiate fertilization in mice, free-swimming sperm bind to mZP3, an approximately 83-kDa glycoprotein present in the ovulated egg zona pellucida (ZP). mZP3 is located periodically along the filaments that constitute the ZP. Sperm recognize and bind to specific oligosaccharides linked to one or more of five Ser residues clustered in the carboxy-terminal one-third of the mZP3 polypeptide. When all five Ser residues are converted to nonhydroxy amino acids by site-directed mutagenesis of the mZP3 gene, an inactive form of mZP3, called mZP3[ser], is secreted by embryonal carcinoma cells stably transfected with the mutated gene. Here, seven independent transgenic mouse lines were established that harbor the mutated mZP3 gene. In all lines, the mutant gene is expressed by growing oocytes and mZP3[ser] is synthesized, secreted, and incorporated into the ZP. Purified mZP3[ser] prepared from ovaries of transgenic mice, like mZP3[ser] from transfected embryonal carcinoma cells, is inactive in sperm binding assays in vitro. On the other hand, the presence of mZP3[ser] in the ZP does not significantly affect either the binding of sperm to ovulated eggs in vitro or the reproduction of the mice, i.e., the transgenic mice are fertile, breed at normal intervals, and produce litters of normal sizes. These results indicate that the number of functional sperm receptors in the ZP can be reduced by more than 50% without adversely affecting fertilization of eggs in vivo.

Oligosaccharide constructs with defined structures that inhibit binding of mouse sperm to unfertilized eggs in vitro

During fertilization in mice, free-swimming sperm bind to mZP3, an 83-kDa glycoprotein present in the egg extracellular coat, the zona pellucida [Wassarman, P. M. (1990) Development 108, 1-17]. Mouse sperm recognize and bind to a specific class of serine/threonine-linked (O-linked) oligosaccharides present on mZP3. After binding to mZP3, sperm undergo a form of cellular exocytosis, the acrosome reaction, thereby enabling them to penetrate the zona pellucida and fertilize the egg. Thus, gamete interactions in mice are carbohydrate-mediated. In this context, we tested 15 O-linked-related oligosaccharide constructs with defined structures for their ability to inhibit binding of mouse sperm to ovulated eggs and to induce sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction in vitro. Thirteen of the oligosaccharides were constructed and characterized in our laboratory [Seppo, A., Pentillä, L., Niemelä, R., Maaheimo, H., Renkonen, O., & Keane, A. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 4655-4661]; two were obtained commercially. We found that, while none of the oligosaccharides induced sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction, a few of them inhibited binding of sperm to eggs at relatively low concentrations (ID50 < 5 microM). In certain cases, sperm formed head-to-head aggregates in the presence of the oligosaccharides. The results suggest that the ability of oligosaccharides to inhibit binding of sperm to eggs is dependent on several parameters, including the size and branching pattern of the oligosaccharide, as well as on the nature of the sugar residue at the nonreducing end of the oligosaccharide.

Mapping the mouse ZP3 combining site for sperm by exon swapping and site-directed mutagenesis

During fertilization in mice, sperm bind to mouse ZP3 (mZP3), a M(r) approximately 83,000 glycoprotein present in the ovulated egg extracellular coat, or zona pellucida. Sperm recognize and bind to specific serine/threonine-linked (O-linked) oligosaccharides present at the mZP3 combining site for sperm. Binding to mZP3 induces sperm to undergo a form of exocytosis, the acrosome reaction. To map the mZP3 combining site for sperm, we examined the effect of exon swapping and site-directed mutagenesis on the glycoprotein's two activities, sperm binding and induction of the acrosome reaction. Stably transfected embryonal carcinoma cell lines were established that synthesized recombinant glycoproteins and secreted them into the culture medium. The glycoproteins were partially purified from culture medium and assayed for sperm-binding and acrosome reaction-inducing activities. Results of these assays suggest that glycosylation of one or more of five serine residues, clustered together in a polypeptide region encoded by mZP3 gene exon 7, is required for activity. Interestingly, this polypeptide region exhibits considerable sequence divergence during evolution and may be related to the proposed role for oligosaccharides in species-specific gamete adhesion during mammalian fertilization.

Sperm-egg recognition in the mouse: characterization of sp56, a sperm protein having specific affinity for ZP3

Recognition between mammalian gametes occurs when the plasma membrane of the sperm head binds to the zona pellucida (ZP), an extracellular coat surrounding eggs. ZP3, one of three glycoproteins in the ZP, is the egg protein recognized by sperm. A mouse sperm surface protein, sp56 (M(r) = 56,000), has been identified on the basis of its specific affinity for ZP3 (Bleil, J. D., and P. M. Wassarman. 1990. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 87:5563-5567). Studies presented here were designed to characterize mouse sperm sp56 and to further test whether or not this protein specifically recognizes ZP3. sp56 was purified by both ZP3 affinity chromatography and by ion exchange chromatography followed by size-exclusion chromatography. The purified native protein eluted from size-exclusion columns as a homomultimer (M(r) approximately 110,000). Each monomer of the protein contains intramolecular disulfide bonds, consistent with its extracellular location. Immunohistochemical and immunoblotting studies, using monoclonal antibodies, demonstrated that sp56 is a peripheral membrane protein located on the outer surface of the sperm head plasma membrane, precisely where sperm bind ZP3. Results of crosslinking experiments demonstrated that the ZP3 oligosaccharide recognized by sperm has specific affinity for sp56. Collectively, these results suggest that sp56 may be the sperm protein responsible for sperm-egg recognition in the mouse.

cis-acting DNA elements involved in oocyte-specific expression of mouse sperm receptor gene mZP3 are located close to the gene's transcription start site

We report that cis-acting DNA elements involved in oocyte-specific expression of the mouse sperm receptor gene (mZP3) are located close to the gene's transcription start site. Mice bearing a transgene that consists of only 153 nt of mZP3 5'-flanking region fused to the firefly luciferase gene (153-ZP3/LUC) expressed the reporter gene in ovary not in a wide variety of tissues; although two of three lines carrying 153-ZP3/LUC also expressed the transgene in forebrain and hypothalamus. Within the ovaries of transgenic mice, luciferase activity was restricted to growing oocytes. However, levels of luciferase activity in these oocytes were lower than those in oocytes from mice bearing transgenes that contain a larger segment of mZP3 5'-flanking region (470-6,500 nt) fused to the firefly luciferase gene. Mice bearing a transgene that consists of 470 nt of mZP3 5'-flanking region and mZP3 intragenic sequences (ZDT) were also analyzed. The presence of mZP3 intragenic sequences did not result in significantly increased levels of firefly luciferase activity in oocytes of mice carrying the ZDT transgene. Overall, these results suggest that as little as 153 nt of mZP3 5'-flanking region is sufficient to target expression of the firefly luciferase gene to mouse oocytes and that the mZP3 intragenic sequences probably do not contain enhancer elements. Rather, enhancer elements are probably present between-153 and -470 nt of the mZP3 5'-flanking region.

Creating maternal effect mutations in transgenic mice: antisense inhibition of an oocyte gene product

Gene products present in mouse oocytes direct development until the two-cell stage and may be important in later development. Here, we demonstrate that expression of a specific maternal protein can be disrupted in mouse oocytes using transgenic antisense RNA technology. An oocyte-specific promoter (mZP3) was utilized to express antisense RNA directed against maternal mRNA encoding tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). Antisense expression results in reduced levels of tPA mRNA and enzyme activity in mouse oocytes. We also provide evidence for a novel mechanism of antisense-mediated translational inhibition, whereby the cytoplasmic polyadenylation of maternal tPA mRNA is altered. This strategy should prove applicable to functional studies of other murine maternal mRNAs in an in vivo environment.

Identification of a region of mouse zona pellucida glycoprotein mZP3 that possesses sperm receptor activity

The ability of mouse zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP3 (mZP3) to function as a sperm receptor is attributable to certain of its oligosaccharides, not to its polypeptide (P. M. Wassarman, 1990. Development 108, 1-17). Here, purified, radioiodinated mZP3 was digested by either papain or V8 protease, and the glycopeptides produced were fractionated by HPLC and assayed for sperm receptor activity in vitro. Each proteolytic digest of mZP3 contained a heavily glycosylated peptide, approximately 55,000 apparent M(r), that exhibited sperm receptor activity in vitro. To determine the region of mZP3 polypeptide from which the active glycopeptides were derived, Western gel immunoblotting, employing an antiserum directed against a specific mZP3 peptide epitope, and automated amino-terminal amino acid sequencing were employed. Results of these experiments strongly suggest that the active glycopeptides produced by digestion of mZP3 with either papain or V8 protease are derived from the same region of the carboxy-terminal half of the mZP3 polypeptide. These and other findings are discussed in terms of mZP3 structure and function.

Gene expression during oogenesis in mice

A mouse egg is the end-product of oogenesis--a process initiated during fetal development and completed months later at the time of sperm-egg fusion. Oogenesis includes many important events. Among these are formation of female germ cells, initiation and completion of meiosis, and establishment of a maternal store of materials to support fertilization and preimplantation development. The latter takes place largely during germ cell growth in sexually mature females and involves extensive gene expression. Ribonucleic acid and protein accumulate to unusually high levels during this relatively short phase of oogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that establishment of a maternal store of materials in the growing mouse egg is both transcriptionally and translationally regulated. Specific examples of both types of regulation are presented here in the context of gene expression during oogenesis in mice.

Transgenic mouse eggs with functional hamster sperm receptors in their zona pellucida

Sperm receptors are located in the mammalian egg extracellular coat, or zona pellucida. Mouse and hamster sperm receptor glycoproteins, mZP3 (83 × 10(3) M(r)) and hZP3 (56 × 10(3) M(r)), respectively, have very similar polypeptides (44 × 10(3) M(r); 81% identical) that are glycosylated to different extents. Purified mZP3 and hZP3 can bind to mouse sperm, prevent them from binding to eggs and induce them to undergo exocytosis, the acrosome reaction, in vitro. A DNA construct that placed the hZP3 gene under the control of mZP3 gene 5′-flanking sequence was used in this report to produce two mouse lines that harbored the foreign sperm receptor transgene. In both lines, the transgene was expressed only by growing oocytes, at a level comparable to that of the endogenous mZP3 gene, and the developmental pattern of transgene expression resembled that of the mZP3 gene. In addition to mZP3, transgenic mouse oocytes synthesized and secreted a glycoprotein indistinguishable from hZP3, and incorporated both glycoproteins into a mosaic zona pellucida. Importantly, hZP3 purified from such zonae pellucidae exhibited both sperm receptor and acrosome reaction-inducing activities in vitro and, following fertilization of transgenic mouse eggs, was inactivated. These results demonstrate that a biologically active foreign sperm receptor can be synthesized and secreted by transgenic mouse oocytes, assembled into a mosaic zona pellucida, and inactivated following fertilization as part of the secondary block to polyspermy.

Mouse gamete adhesion molecules

Complementary adhesion molecules are located on the surface of mouse eggs and sperm. These molecules support species-specific interactions between sperm and eggs that lead to gamete fusion (fertilization). Modification of these molecules shortly after gamete fusion assists in prevention of polyspermic fertilization. mZP3, an 83,000-Mr glycoprotein located in the egg extracellular coat, or zona pellucida, serves as primary sperm receptor. Gamete adhesion in mice is carbohydrate-mediated, since sperm recognize and bind to certain mZP3 serine/threonine- (O-) linked oligosaccharides. As a consequence of binding to mZP3, sperm undergo the acrosome reaction, which enables them to penetrate the zona pellucida and fertilize the egg. A 56,000-Mr protein called sp56, which is located in plasma membrane surrounding acrosome-intact mouse sperm heads, is a putative primary egg-binding protein. It is suggested that sp56 recognizes and binds to certain mZP3 O-linked oligosaccharides. Acrosome-reacted sperm remain bound to eggs by interacting with mZP2, a 120,000-Mr zona pellicida glycoprotein. Thus, mZP2 serves as secondary sperm receptor. Perhaps a sperm protease associated with inner acrosomal membrane, possibly (pro)acrosin, serves as secondary egg-binding protein. These and, perhaps, other egg and sperm surface molecules regulate fertilization in mice. Homologous molecules apparently regulate fertilization in other mammals.

A mouse oocyte-specific protein that binds to a region of mZP3 promoter responsible for oocyte-specific mZP3 gene expression

The gene encoding mZP3, the mouse sperm receptor, is expressed exclusively in growing oocytes during oogenesis. To investigate the molecular basis of oocyte-specific mZP3 gene expression, we generated several lines of mice harboring a transgene that contains 470 bp of mZP3 gene 5'-flanking sequence (nucleotides -470 to +10) fused to the firefly luciferase gene coding region. Three of four expressing transgenic lines exhibited luciferase activity only in growing oocytes, suggesting that the 470-bp fragment is sufficient to direct Iocyte-specific expression of the luciferase gene. Results of DNase I footprinting and gel mobility shift assays suggested the presence of an ovary-specific protein that binds to a small region (nucleotides-99 to -86) within the 470-bp fragment of the mZP3 promoter, with 5'-G(G/A)T(G/A)A-3' representing the minimal sequence required for binding. Southwestern (DNA-protein) gel blots revealed the presence of an oocyte-specific, approximately 60,000-Mr protein, called OSP-1, that binds to the minimal sequence. Changes in levels of OSP-1 during oogenesis and early cleavage are consistent with the pattern of mZP3 gene expression during these developmental stages in mice. Therefore, OSP-1 may be a mammalian oocyte-specific transcription factor involved in regulating oocyte-specific mZP3 gene expression.

Embryonal carcinoma cells transfected with ZP3 genes differentially glycosylate similar polypeptides and secrete active mouse sperm receptor

Mouse and hamster sperm receptors, called mZP3 (approximately 83,000 Mr) and hZP3 (approximately 56,000 Mr), respectively, are glycoproteins located in the ovulated egg zona pellucida. Certain of the glycoprotein O-linked oligosaccharides are essential for sperm receptor activity. Here, we transfected mouse embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells with mZP3 and hZP3 genes placed under control of a constitutive promoter. Transfected cells synthesized and secreted large amounts of the glycoproteins, called EC-mZP3 and EC-hZP3. Although the primary structures of mZP3 and hZP3 polypeptides (44,000 Mr) are very similar to one another, EC-mZP3 (approximately 83,000 Mr) and EC-hZP3 (approximately 49,000 Mr) were glycosylated to very different extents, such that they resembled their egg counterparts. Like egg mZP3, EC-mZP3 inhibited binding of sperm to ovulated eggs and induced sperm to acrosome-react in vitro. In addition, large numbers of sperm bound to aggregates of mZP3-transfected EC cells in vitro. On the other hand, unlike egg hZP3, EC-hZP3 did not exhibit either sperm receptor or acrosome reaction-inducing activity, and sperm failed to bind to aggregates of hZP3-transfected EC cells. Thus, transfected EC cells not only express sperm receptor genes, but also discriminate between very similar polypeptides with respect to glycosylation and, in the case of mZP3, add specific oligosaccharides essential for biological activity. In addition, the results demonstrate that EC cells can serve as a source for large amounts of functional mouse sperm receptor.

Differential binding of gold-labeled zona pellucida glycoproteins mZP2 and mZP3 to mouse sperm membrane compartments

Egg zona pellucida glycoproteins mZP3 and mZP2 serve as primary and secondary sperm receptors, respectively, during initial stages of fertilization in mice [Wassarman (1988) A. Rev. Biochem. 57, 415–442]. These receptors interact with complementary egg-binding proteins (EBPs) located on the sperm surface to support species-specific gamete adhesion. Results of whole-mount autoradiographic experiments suggest that purified egg mZP3 and mZP2 bind preferentially to acrosome-intact (AI) and acrosome-reacted (AR) sperm heads, respectively [Bleil and Wassarman (1986) J. Cell Biol. 102, 1363–1371]. Here, we used purified egg mZP2, egg mZP3 and fetuin, which were coupled directly to colloidal gold (‘gold-probes’), to examine binding of these glycoproteins to membrane compartments of AI and AR sperm by transmission electron microscopy. mZP3 gold-probes were found associated primarily with plasma membrane overlying the acrosomal and post-acrosomal regions of AI sperm heads. They were also found associated with plasma membrane overlying the post-acrosomal region of AR sperm heads. mZP2 gold-probes were found associated primarily with inner acrosomal membrane of AR sperm heads, although some gold was associated with outer acrosomal membrane of AI sperm that had holes in plasma membrane overlying the acrosome. Fetuin gold-probes, used to assess background levels of binding, were bound at relatively low levels to plasma membrane and inner acrosomal membrane of AI and AR sperm, respectively. None of the gold-probes exhibited significant binding to sperm tails, or to red blood cells and residual bodies present in sperm preparations. These results provide further evidence that mZP2 and mZP3 bind preferentially to heads of AR and AI sperm, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Construction of the zona pellucida during production of fertilizable mouse eggs

All mammalian eggs are surrounded by a thick extracellular coat, or zona pellucida. Construction of the zona pellucida is an essential step during the production of fertilizable mammalian eggs. Zona pellucida glycoproteins are synthesized exclusively by oocytes during their growth phase and are then assembled in a highly specific manner into a thick extracellular coat. These unique glycoproteins play important roles during mammalian oogenesis, fertilization, and preimplantation development. Consequently, construction of the zona pellucida is a major activity of growing oocytes as they prepare for ovulation and fertilization.

Genomic organization and polypeptide primary structure of zona pellucida glycoprotein hZP3, the hamster sperm receptor

During the course of fertilization in mammals, free-swimming sperm bind tightly to receptors located in the egg extracellular coat, or zona pellucida. Recently, the hamster sperm receptor, a 56,000 Mr zona pellucida glycoprotein called hZP3, was identified and partially characterized (C. C. Moller et al., (1990). Dev. Biol. 137, 276-286). Here, we describe genomic cloning of hZP3, certain organizational features of the hZP3 gene, and primary structures of hZP3 mRNA and polypeptide. The findings are compared with reported results of comparable analyses of the mouse sperm receptor, an 83,000 Mr zona pellucida glycoprotein called mZP3. Such comparisons reveal a high degree of conservation of genomic organization and polypeptide structure for the two mammalian sperm receptors, despite the considerable difference in their Mrs. These findings are of interest in view of the extremely restricted expression of the ZP3 gene during development and the important role of ZP3 oligosaccharides in gamete adhesion.

Identification of a ZP3-binding protein on acrosome-intact mouse sperm by photoaffinity crosslinking

During the process of fertilization in mammals, sperm bind in a relatively species-specific manner to the zona pellucida (ZP) of ovulated eggs. ZP3, a glycoprotein found in the mouse egg zona pellucida, serves as receptor for sperm during gamete adhesion. We report here that a Mr 56,000 protein found on mouse sperm has properties expected for a sperm component that recognizes and binds to ZP3. This sperm protein is radiolabeled preferentially by a photoactivatable heterobifunctional crosslinker ("Denny-Jaffee reagent") covalently linked to purified ZP3, binds very tightly to ZP3-affinity columns, and is localized to heads of acrosome-intact but not acrosome-reacted sperm. These and other findings suggest that this protein may be a "ZP3-binding protein" that, together with the sperm receptor, supports species-specific binding of mouse sperm to unfertilized eggs.

Structural and functional relationships between mouse and hamster zona pellucida glycoproteins

The hamster egg's extracellular coat, or zona pellucida, consists of three glycoproteins, designated hZP1, hZP2, and hZP3, that exhibit extensive heterogeneity on SDS-PAGE. hZP1 is a relatively minor component of hamster zonae pellucidae, as compared with hZP2 and hZP3. In the presence of reducing agents, hZP1, 200,000 apparent Mr, migrates on SDS-PAGE with an apparent Mr of 103,000. This suggests that hZP1, like mouse ZP1, is composed of two polypeptides held together by intermolecular disulfides. When purified hamster ZP glycoproteins were tested at relatively low concentrations in an in vitro competition assay, employing either hamster or mouse gametes, only hZP3 (56,000 apparent Mr) exhibited sperm receptor activity (i.e., inhibited binding of sperm to eggs). Thus, apparently hZP3 is the hamster counterpart of mouse ZP3, the mouse egg receptor for sperm. Furthermore, at relatively high concentrations, solubilized hamster egg ZP preparations induced both hamster and mouse sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction in vitro. hZP3 is encoded by a relatively abundant ovarian mRNA that is detected by a mouse ZP3 cDNA probe and is the same size, about 1.5 kb, as mRNA encoding the mouse sperm receptor, ZP3 (83,000 apparent Mr). Like mouse ZP2, hZP2 undergoes limited proteolysis following artificial activation of hamster eggs in vitro. Results of in vitro assays employing intact eggs and isolated zonae pellucidae demonstrate that hamster eggs possess a ZP2-proteinase which has a substrate specificity similar to that of the mouse enzyme. These observations are discussed in terms of structural and functional relationships that may exist between hamster and mouse zona pellucida glycoproteins.

Profile of a mammalian sperm receptor

Complementary molecules on the surface of eggs and sperm are responsible for species-specific interactions between gametes during fertilization in both plants and animals. In this essay, several aspects of current research on the mouse egg receptor for sperm, a zona pellucida glycoprotein called ZP3, are addressed. These include the structure, synthesis, and functions of the sperm receptor during oogenesis and fertilization in mice. Several conclusions are drawn from available information. These include (I) ZP3 is a member of a unique class of glycoproteins found exclusively in the extracellular coat (zona pellucida) of mammalian eggs. (II) ZP3 gene expression is an example of oocyte-specific and, therefore, sex-specific gene expression during mammalian development. (III) ZP3 is a structural glycoprotein involved in assembly of the egg extracellular coat during mammalian oogenesis. (IV) ZP3 is a sperm receptor involved in carbohydrate-mediated gamete recognition and adhesion during mammalian fertilization. (V) ZP3 is an inducer of sperm exocytosis (acrosome reaction) during mammalian fertilization. (VI) ZP3 participates in the secondary block to polyspermy following fertilization in mammals. (VII) The extracellular coat of other mammalian eggs contains a glycoprotein that is functionally analogous to mouse ZP3. The unique nature, highly restricted expression, and multiple roles of ZP3 during mammalian development make this glycoprotein a particularly attractive subject for investigation at both the cellular and molecular levels.

Profile of a mammalian sperm receptor gene

ZP3, a glycoprotein present in the extracellular coat (zona pellucida) of the unfertilized egg, serves as a receptor for sperm and an inducer of the acrosome reaction (sperm exocytosis) during fertilization in mice. As such, ZP3 regulates the initial species-specific interactions between male and female mouse gametes. Recently, the organization and expression of the gene encoding ZP3 have been studied in some detail. These studies have led to some important findings, including the entire primary structure of the glycoprotein's polypeptide chain and the sequence of more than 11 kilobases of DNA at the ZP3 genomic locus. The latter includes the entire transcription unit for ZP3, as well as 5' and 3' flanking sequences. Of particular interest is the finding that the ZP3 gene is expressed at extremely high levels by growing oocytes and by no other cell type in the mouse. This oocyte-specific expression occurs only at a particular stage of oogenesis. Although the specific regulatory elements responsible for the highly restricted expression of ZP3 have not been identified as yet, certain organizational features of the ZP3 gene that have been described may be relevant in this connection. Further molecular analyses of ZP3 will provide additional insight into its synthesis, structure, and functions, and could have practical consequences in the context of human conception and contraception.

A premature acrosome reaction is programmed by mouse t haplotypes during sperm differentiation and could play a role in transmission ratio distortion

Mouse t haplotypes are variant forms of chromosome 17 that can be transmitted at non-Mendelian ratios by heterozygous +/t males. The accumulated genetic data indicate that ‘+-sperm’ and ‘t-sperm’ are produced in equal numbers but that most ‘+-sperm’ are rendered dysfunctional, so that ‘t-sperm’ have a relative advantage at fertilization. To date, the basis for this t-induced sperm dysfunction has remained unknown. Here we demonstrate that a high proportion of sperm obtained from certain strains of +/t mice undergo a premature acrosome reaction under in vitro capacitation conditions. The simplest interpretation of these data, in conjunction with previous results, is that developing ‘+-spermatids’ are preprogrammed by ‘t-spermatids’ to undergo this premature reaction. Since acrosome-reacted sperm are unable to participate in the process of fertilization, this defect could account for the extreme distortion of transmission ratio observed from mice heterozygous for a class of complete t haplotypes.

Gene expression during mammalian oogenesis and early embryogenesis: quantification of three messenger RNAs abundant in fully grown mouse oocytes

Ribonuclease protection assays have been used to quantitatively assess changes in steady-state levels of specific mRNAs during oogenesis and early embryogenesis in mice. The mRNAs encode ZP3 (a glycoprotein that serves as a sperm receptor), LDH-B (heart-type lactate dehydrogenase), and MOM-1 (a protein of unknown function). MOM-1 and LDH-B are expressed in a variety of adult mouse tissues and midgestation embryos, whereas ZP3 expression is restricted completely to oocytes. All three mRNAs are expressed by growing mouse oocytes and accumulate to unusually high levels in fully grown oocytes as compared to somatic cells; 240,000, 200,000 and 74,000 copies mRNA per fully grown oocyte for ZP3, LDH-B and MOM-1, respectively. Steady-state levels of LDH-B and MOM-1 mRNA undergo a modest decline (approximately 20–40%) during ovulation when fully grown oocytes become unfertilized eggs and, in general, mirror the reported change in poly(A)+RNA levels during this period of development. On the other hand, the level of ZP3 mRNA declines dramatically (approximately 98%) during ovulation, from approximately 240,000 copies per oocyte to approximately 5000 copies per unfertilized egg, and ZP3 mRNA is undetectable in fertilized eggs (less than 1000 copies per fertilized egg). MOM-1 mRNA is expressed at relatively low levels in morulae (approximately 2000 copies per embryo) and blastocysts (approximately 5000 copies per embryo), whereas ZP3 mRNA remains undetectable (less than 1000 copies per embryo) at these stages of preimplantation development. These findings are discussed in the context of overall gene expression during oocyte growth, meiotic maturation and early embryogenesis in mice.