Publication: Mammalian spermatozoa and cumulus cells bind to a 3D model generated by recombinant zona pellucida protein-coated beads.
Authors
Hamze Araujo, Julieta Gabriela ; Canha-Gouveia, Analuce ; Algarra, Blanca ; Gómez-Torres, María José ; Olivares, María Concepción ; Romar Andrés, Raquel ; Jiménez-Movilla, María ; Jíménez Movilla, María
item.page.secondaryauthor
item.page.director
Publisher
Springer Nature
publication.page.editor
publication.page.department
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-54501-7
item.page.type
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
The egg is a spherical cell encapsulated by the zona pellucida (ZP) which forms a filamentous matrix
composed of several glycoproteins that mediate gamete recognition at fertilization. Studies on
molecular mechanisms of sperm-egg binding are limited in many mammalian species by the scarcity
of eggs, by ethical concerns in harvesting eggs, and by the high cost of producing genetically modified
animals. To address these limitations, we have reproduced a three-dimensional (3D) model mimicking
the oocyte’s shape, by means of magnetic sepharose beads coated with recombinant ZP glycoproteins
(BZP) and cumulus cells. Three preparations composed of either ZP2 (C and N-termini; BZP2), ZP3 (BZP3)
or ZP4 (BZP4) were obtained and characterized by protein SDS-PAGE, immunoblot and imaging with
confocal and electron microscopy. The functionality of the model was validated by adhesion of cumulus
cells, the ability of the glycoprotein-beads to support spermatozoa binding and induce acrosome
exocytosis. Thus, our findings document that ZP-beads provide a novel 3D tool to investigate the role
of specific proteins on egg-sperm interactions becoming a relevant tool as a diagnostic predictor of
mammalian sperm function once transferred to the industry.
publication.page.subject
Citation
Scientific Reports, 2019, Vol. 9(1) :17989
item.page.embargo
Collections
Ir a Estadísticas
Este ítem está sujeto a una licencia Creative Commons. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/