Abstract | BACKGROUND: The human egg coat, zona pellucida (ZP), is composed of four glycoproteins designated as zona pellucida glycoprotein-1 (ZP1), -2 (ZP2), -3 (ZP3) and -4 (ZP4) respectively. The zona proteins possess the archetypal 'ZP domain', a signature domain comprised of approximately 260 amino acid (aa) residues. In the present manuscript, attempts have been made to delineate the functional significance of the 'ZP domain' module of human ZP1, corresponding to 273-551 aa fragment of human ZP1. METHODS: RESULTS: SDS-PAGE and immunoblot characterization of the purified recombinant protein (both from cell lysate as well as culture supernatant) revealed a doublet ranging from ~35-40 kDa. FITC- labelled 'ZP domain' of ZP1 binds primarily to the acrosomal cap of the capacitated human spermatozoa. A dose dependent increase in acrosomal exocytosis was observed when capacitated sperm were incubated with recombinant 'ZP domain' of human ZP1. The acrosome reaction mediated by recombinant protein was independent of Gi protein-coupled receptor pathway, required extra cellular calcium and involved both T- and L-type voltage operated calcium channels. CONCLUSIONS: Results described in the present study suggest that the 'ZP domain' module of human ZP1 has functional activity and may have a role during fertilization in humans.
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Authors | Anasua Ganguly, Pankaj Bansal, Tripti Gupta, Satish K Gupta |
Journal | Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E
(Reprod Biol Endocrinol)
Vol. 8
Pg. 110
(Sep 11 2010)
ISSN: 1477-7827 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 20831819
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Egg Proteins
- Membrane Glycoproteins
- Receptors, Cell Surface
- Recombinant Proteins
- ZP1 protein, human
- ZP2 protein, human
- ZP3 protein, human
- Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins
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Topics |
- Acrosome
(metabolism, physiology)
- Acrosome Reaction
(genetics, physiology)
- Animals
- Cells, Cultured
- Egg Proteins
(chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
- Exocytosis
(physiology)
- Female
- Fertilization
(genetics, physiology)
- Humans
- Male
- Membrane Glycoproteins
(chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
- Protein Binding
(genetics, physiology)
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
(genetics, physiology)
- Receptors, Cell Surface
(chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
- Recombinant Proteins
(chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
- Sperm-Ovum Interactions
(genetics, physiology)
- Spermatozoa
(metabolism, physiology)
- Spodoptera
- Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins
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