Oocyte Development: Molecular Biology of the Zona Pellucida

1993 ◽  
pp. 115-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Fang Liang ◽  
Jurrien Dean
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Oocyte Development

Biology and structure of the zona pellucida: a target for immunocontraception

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Epifano ◽  
J Dean
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Specific Structure ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Made In

Although reversible interference of sperm-egg interactions with pharmacological agents has not yet been achieved, animal models have provided increasing evidence that immunological reagents directed against mammalian gametes can effectively inhibit fertilization. One potential target of immunocontraception is the zona pellucida, an extracellular matrix that surrounds the growing oocyte and ovulated egg. Recent advances in our knowledge of the biosynthesis and molecular biology of the zona pellucida have provided much information useful in the rational design of immunocontraceptive vaccines. There remain, however, major obstacles to using immunological reagents to prevent fertilization, including potential toxic side effects, the lack of adequate delivery systems and the possibility of incomplete reversibility. This review summarizes current understanding of the production of the zona pellucida during folliculogenesis, the structure of the conserved proteins and genes in the zona pellucida, and the progress made in the development of immunocontraceptive strategies that focus on this oocyte-specific structure.

The mammalian zona pellucida: its biochemistry, immunochemistry, molecular biology, and developmental expression

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Dunbar ◽  
S Avery ◽  
V Lee ◽  
S Prasad ◽  
D Schwahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Developmental Expression ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Mature Ovum ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Mammalian Fertilization ◽  
And Function

Many studies of the molecular and biochemical aspects of mammalian fertilization have focused on the interaction of the spermatozoa with the zona pellucida (ZP). The zona pellucida, a unique extracellular matrix surrounding the mammalian oocyte, is formed during ovarian follicular development. Following ovulation of the mature ovum, the spermatozoa must bind to and penetrate this matrix before the fertilization process is completed and the male and female genetic information combine. Although numerous models for this interaction have been proposed, the complete process has yet to be elucidated. The precise mechanisms by which these interactions occur also vary markedly among different mammalian species, making it more difficult to establish a unified model. To a great extent, the study of the molecules involved in these interactions have been limited because small numbers of female gametes are available for these studies. The recent development of techniques to isolate large numbers of zonae pellucidae as well as advances in immunological and molecular biology techniques have permitted the detailed characterization of ZP proteins. Although there is a paucity of information on the post-translational modification and extracellular processing of these molecules which result in matrix formation, a number of properties have been elucidated allowing better correlation between the structure and function of different ZP proteins among species. This review reflects these studies in relation to protein nomenclature and the molecular complexity of ZP antigens.

scholarly journals Mutation of rat Zp2 causes ROS-mediated oocyte apoptosis

Reproduction ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 160 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-365
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Hualin Huang ◽  
Minghua Zeng ◽  
Ru-Ping Quan ◽  
Jun-Ting Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
Oocyte Development ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Bidirectional Signaling

In this study, we investigated a gene-edited (Zp2MT/MT) rat model of infertility caused by the failure to express the zona pellucida glycoprotein 2 (ZP2) due to the significant reduction of mRNA amount. We examined the defects in the zona pellucida (ZP) caused by ZP2 nullification and the influence of these defects on aspects of oocyte development, including apoptosis and fertilization ability. To investigate the cause of the influence to the oocytes’ development, we evaluated the morphology of follicular transzonal projections (TZPs), known as ‘bridges’, which mediate the bidirectional signaling between the oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ovulated eggs. Our results showed that two types of ZP defects were generated in the Zp2MT/MT rat,that is, ZP intact but thinned and ZP cracked (or even absent). The fertilization rate of the ovulated eggs reduced in both types, while increased oocyte apoptosis was observed only in the latter type. Moreover, the increased oocyte apoptosis rate correlated closely with the reduction in follicular TZPs and increased ROS levels in ovulated egg. In conclusion, nullification of rat ZP2 destroyed the integrity of the ZP, impaired the bidirectional signaling between the oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells. Therefore, the resulting infertility likely occurs via elevation of oxidative stress and oocytes apoptosis.

scholarly journals Mouse oocyte development - Methods and Protocols

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Monti
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Mouse Oocyte ◽  
Female Gamete ◽  
Oocyte Development ◽  
Development Methods

The Springer Protocols series “Methods in Molecular Biology” has published its 1818th volume which is entirely devoted to the development of the female gamete: the oocyte.  

The Effect of Mercury in the Micro-Dynamics of Injection Pipettes

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerem Ediz ◽  
Nejat Olgac
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

“Microinjection” is becoming increasingly important in molecular biology. These operations include the micromanipulation of cellular subjects, such as piercing procedure through the zona pellucida and the membrane in ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection).

Electron Microscopy in Molecular Biology

1967 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 2-3
Author(s):  
Cecil E. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Noise Level ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Material Structure ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Shadow Casting ◽  
Electron Image ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Very High

The visualization of organic macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, viruses and virus components has reached its high degree of effectiveness owing to refinements and reliability of instruments and to the invention of methods for enhancing the structure of these materials within the electron image. The latter techniques have been most important because what can be seen depends upon the molecular and atomic character of the object as modified which is rarely evident in the pristine material. Structure may thus be displayed by the arts of positive and negative staining, shadow casting, replication and other techniques. Enhancement of contrast, which delineates bounds of isolated macromolecules has been effected progressively over the years as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 by these methods. We now look to the future wondering what other visions are waiting to be seen. The instrument designers will need to exact from the arts of fabrication the performance that theory has prescribed as well as methods for phase and interference contrast with explorations of the potentialities of very high and very low voltages. Chemistry must play an increasingly important part in future progress by providing specific stain molecules of high visibility, substrates of vanishing “noise” level and means for preservation of molecular structures that usually exist in a solvated condition.

Structures Resembling Striated Rootlets in Oocytes

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 124-125
Author(s):  
Valerie V. Ernst
Keyword(s):  
Golgi Complex ◽  
Fibrous Structure ◽  
Oocyte Development ◽  
The Cross

During the earliest stage of oocyte development in the limpet, Acmea scutum, Golgi complexes are small, few and randomly dispersed in the cytoplasm. As growth proceeds, the Golgi complexes increase in size and number and migrate to the periphery of the cell. At this time, fibrous structures resembling striated rootlets occur associated with the Golgi complexes. Only one fibrous structure appears to be associated with a Golgi complex.The fibers are periodically cross banded with an average of 4 dense fibrils and 6 lighter fibrils per period (Fig. 1). The cross fibrils have a center to center spacing of about 7 run which appears to be the same as that of the striated rootlets of the gill cilia in this animal.

An introduction to the themed issue on RNA biology in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 863-866
Author(s):  
Zhe Wu
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
Fortieth Anniversary ◽  
Rna Biology ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
Education In China

Abstract The year 2019 marked the fortieth anniversary of the Chinese Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (CSBMB), whose mission is to promote biomolecular research and education in China. The last 40 years have witnessed tremendous growth and achievements in biomolecular research by Chinese scientists and Essays in Biochemistry is delighted to publish this themed issue that focuses on exciting areas within RNA biology, with each review contributed by key experts from China.

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