Do fertilin beta and cyritestin play a major role in mammalian sperm--oolemma interactions? A critical re-evaluation of the use of peptide mimics in identifying specific oocyte recognition protiens.
Integrins have been proposed to play a role in mammalian sperm-oocyte interactions for many years. To a large extent this hypothesis stems from the ability of short synthetic peptides, based on the disintegrin-like domains of two sperm surface integral membrane proteins, fertilin beta and cyritestin, to inhibit sperm--oocyte binding and fusion in vitro. Here we argue that such peptide mimics lack specificity in these simple IVF assay systems. Hence, whilst not precluding a role for fertilin beta and cyritestin in sperm-oolemma interactions, this lack of specificity indicates the need for considerable caution when interpreting results obtained using this approach.
McLaughlin
E A
EA
Department of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, School of Medical Sciences, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
Frayne
J
J
Bloomerg
G
G
Hall
L
L
D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000072196:Fertilins; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D010455:Peptides; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D010455:Peptides; D051722:ADAM Proteins; C000606454:ADAM2 protein, human; C499566:ADAM3A protein, human; D000072196:Fertilins; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases