title: Characterization of human sperm binding to homologous recombinant zona pellucida proteins.
abstract: The union between mammalian gametes begins with the sperm binding to the zona pellucida (ZP). We studied the interaction between human sperm and ZP by using recombinant human ZP proteins (rhZP). The cDNAs coding for human ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4 were expressed in Sf9 cells and proteins were characterized to determine their competence for sperm binding. Capacitated human sperm binding abilities were analyzed using immobilized rhZP and a well-characterized antihuman sperm antiserum. The results demonstrated that all rhZP proteins were structurally similar to their native counterparts and were specifically recognized, in a dose and time dependent manner, by human sperm. The rhZP4 was the main sperm binder followed by rhZP3 and rhZP2, although combinations of rhZP proteins enhanced sperm adhesion. Moreover, this experimental approach may represent a useful model to study sperm-ZP interactions for research and clinical purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Tlalpan, México DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Mayel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chirinos
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cariño
authors.forename: María Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: González-González
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arreola
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reveles
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Larrea
mesh_terms: D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins
chemical_list: D004527:Egg Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C000606515:ZP2 protein, human; C000606517:ZP3 protein, human; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins