Publication: The role of carbohydrate residues in mammalian fertilization
Authors
Shalgi, R. ; Raz, T.
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Publisher
Murcia : F. Hernández
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DOI
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info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
The fertilization process in mammals
involves binding and fusion of free-swimming sperm and
ovulated eggs. This review focuses on the role of
carbohydrate residues in the process of sperm-egg
interaction in mammals. The zona pellucida (ZP), the
acellular glycoprotein coat surrounding the egg is highly
glycosylated and posssess both Asn- (N-) linked and
SerlThr- (O-)linked oligosaccharides, with an extreme
structural heterogeneity between the different species.
Different carbohydrates on ZP3, such as Galactose
in a-linkage, N-acetylglucosamine in B-linkage,
were suggested as the complementary sperm
receptors, mediating the primary binding between
the spermatozoon and the ZP. Several suggested
complementary ZP3 binding proteins on the sperm are
sp56, O-1,4-galactosyltransferase and p95. Some
carbohydrate residues of the ZP undergo postfertilization
modifications that might alter the sperm
receptor, thus assisting in the establishment of the block
to polyspermy. The studies summarized in this review
imply a main role for the carbohydrate residues in the
process of sperm egg interaction.
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