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.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, School of Medical Sciences, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
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McLaughlin
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Frayne
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Bloomerg
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Hall
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