title: [Gamete recognition in mammals: sperm and zona pellucida interactions].
abstract: Association of sperm with the acellular protective envelope of the oocyte, the zona pellucida, and their penetration is a determinant step in fertilization process. It is at this stage that species barriers take place to prevent cross fertilizations. This association is dependent upon binding of ZP3 oligosaccharides to specific sperm receptors. Their activation triggers the acrosome reaction via transduction pathways and release of proteolytic enzymes that dissociate the zona pellucida network. Then, secondary binding to zona pellucida components allows sperm to penetrate and cross the zona pellucida barrier. Several sperm surface proteins are putative receptors for zona pellucida partners. Repercussion of these studies on human fertility are discussed.
authors.affiliation: INSERM Unité 355, Maturation gamétique et fécondation, Clamart.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Finaz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lefèvre
mesh_terms: D000176:Acrosin / Q000502:physiology; D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D009237:N-Acetyllactosamine Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology*; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins
chemical_list: D004527:Egg Proteins; D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; C000606517:ZP3 protein, human; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins; C000606521:Zp3 protein, mouse; D009237:N-Acetyllactosamine Synthase; C022438:proacrosin; D000176:Acrosin