title: Oocytic expression of zona pellucida protein ZP4 in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).
abstract: The avian perivitelline layer, an extracellular matrix homologous to the zona pellucida (ZP) of mammalian oocytes, is composed mainly by zona pellucida gene family glycoproteins. Our previous studies in Japanese quail have demonstrated that the matrix's components, ZP3 and ZPD, are synthesized in ovarian granulosa cells. Another component, ZP1, is synthesized in the liver. Recently, we demonstrated that another minor constituent, ZP2 is produced in the oocytes of the immature follicles. In the present study, we report the isolation of complementary DNA encoding quail ZP4 and its expression and origin in the female birds. By ribonuclease protection assay and in situ hybridization, we demonstrated that ZP4 transcripts were transcribed in the oocytes of small white follicles. The expression level of ZP4 decreased dramatically during follicular development, and the highest expression was observed in the small white follicles. Western blot analysis using the specific antibody against ZP4 indicated that the immunoreactive 58.2 kDa protein was present in the lysates of the small white follicles. These results demonstrate for the first time that the avian ZP4 is expressed in the oocyte, and that the expression pattern of the gene is similar to that of ZP2.
authors: Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, Suruga, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors: Mami
authors: M
authors: Serizawa
authors: Mihoko
authors: M
authors: Kinoshita
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Rodler
authors: Akira
authors: A
authors: Tsukada
authors: Hiroko
authors: H
authors: Ono
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Yoshimura
authors: Norio
authors: N
authors: Kansaku
authors: Tomohiro
authors: T
authors: Sasanami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003370:Coturnix / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004527:Egg Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins