The molecular genetics of the zona pellucida: mouse mutations and infertility.
The zona pellucida is an extracellular matrix surrounding growing oocytes, ovulated eggs and the preimplantation embryo. After mediating the relatively species-specific events of fertilization, the zona pellucida provides a post-fertilization block to polyspermy and protects the growing embryo as it passes down the oviduct. The genes that encode the three zona pellucida proteins (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3) have been characterized in mouse and human. The ability to genetically manipulate the zona pellucida genes in mouse models has enhanced our knowledge of zona pellucida structure and function in vivo and may translate into a better understanding of human fertility.
Rankin
T
T
Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2715, USA.
Dean
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology*; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins
D004527:Egg Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C000606514:ZP1 protein, human; C000606515:ZP2 protein, human; C000606517:ZP3 protein, human; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins; C000606519:Zp1 protein, mouse; C000606520:Zp2 protein, mouse; C000606521:Zp3 protein, mouse