A role for esterases in the fertilization process.
The corona penetrating enzyme of sperm is shown to be esterolytic in nature. This is the first known function of the several sperm esterases and indicates the cementing substance between cells of the corona radiata contains an essential ester linkage.
D000818:Animals; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology
D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases