scholarly journals Recurrent Independent Pseudogenization Events of the Sperm Fertilization Gene ZP3r in Apes and Monkeys

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolie A Carlisle ◽  
Derya H Gurbuz ◽  
Willie J Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Coat Protein ◽  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Binding Partner ◽  
Monkey Species ◽  
Human Ortholog ◽  
Positively Selected Sites ◽  
Egg Coat

In mice, ZP3r/sp56 is a binding partner to the egg coat protein ZP3 and may mediate induction of the acrosome reaction. ZP3r, as a member of the RCA cluster, is surrounded by paralogs, some of which have been shown to be evolving under positive selection. Sequence divergence paired with paralogous relationships with neighboring genes, has complicated the accurate identification of the human ZP3r ortholog. Here, we phylogenetically and syntenically resolve that the human ortholog of ZP3r is the pseudogene C4BPAP1. We investigate the evolution of this gene within primates. We observe independent pseudogenization events of ZP3r in all Apes with the exception of Orangutans, and many monkey species. ZP3r in both primates that retain ZP3r and rodents contains positively selected sites. We hypothesize that redundant mechanisms mediate ZP3 recognition in mammals and ZP3rs relative importance to ZP recognition varies across species.

Sperm from beta 1,4-galactosyltransferase-null mice are refractory to ZP3-induced acrosome reactions and penetrate the zona pellucida poorly

Development ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 124 (20) ◽  
pp. 4121-4131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Lu ◽  
B.D. Shur
Keyword(s):  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Sperm Surface ◽  
Gamete Recognition ◽  
Dependent Signal ◽  
Relative Inability ◽  
Egg Coat

A variety of sperm surface components have been suggested to mediate gamete recognition by binding to glycoside ligands on the egg coat glycoprotein ZP3. The function of each of these candidate receptors is based upon varying degrees of circumstantial and direct evidence; however, the effects on fertilization of targeted mutations in any of these candidate receptors have not yet been reported. In this paper, we describe the effects of targeted mutations in beta1,4-galactosyltransferase, the best studied of the candidate receptors for ZP3. Surprisingly, galactosyltransferase-null (gt[−/−]) males are fertile; however, sperm from gt(−/−) males bind less radiolabeled ZP3 than wild-type sperm, and are unable to undergo the acrosome reaction in response to either ZP3 or anti-galactosyltransferase antibodies, as do wild-type sperm. In contrast, gt(−/−) sperm undergo the acrosome reaction normally in response to calcium ionophore, which bypasses the requirement for ZP3 binding. The inability of gt(−/−) sperm to undergo a ZP3-induced acrosome reaction renders them physiologically inferior to wild-type sperm, as assayed by their relative inability to penetrate the egg coat and fertilize the oocyte in vitro. Thus, although ZP3 binding and subsequent induction of the acrosome reaction are dispensable for fertilization, they impart a physiological advantage to the fertilizing sperm. A second strain of mice was created that is characterized by a loss of of the long galactosyltransferase isoform responsible for ZP3-dependent signal transduction, but which maintains normal levels of Golgi galactosylation. Sperm from these mice show that the defective sperm-egg interactions in gt(−/−) mice are due directly to a loss of the long galactosyltransferase isoform from the sperm surface and are independent of the state of intracellular galactosylation during spermatogenesis.

Potential assays for sperm capacitation in mammals

1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (5) ◽  
pp. C1167-C1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Cohen-Dayag ◽  
M. Eisenbach
Keyword(s):  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Proteolytic Enzymes ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Sperm Capacitation ◽  
Sperm Penetration ◽  
The Common ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Egg Coat

Sperm capacitation is an essential process in fertilization. It apparently involves a large number of processes, the common denominator of which is that they donate to sperm the potential to undergo the acrosome reaction, i.e., to release proteolytic enzymes enabling sperm penetration through the egg coat. Although the phenomenon of capacitation has been known for more than 40 years, it is far from understood, and, consequently, there is, as yet, no operational definition of it. The lack of an assay to identify capacitated spermatozoa is both the cause and the effect of this situation. Here we critically review the major changes that are thought to occur during sperm capacitation, and assess their potential use as markers for the identification of capacitated spermatozoa.

scholarly journals Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Dalbergia species and its phylogenetic implications

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Song ◽  
Yongjiang Zhang ◽  
Jin Xu ◽  
Weimin Li ◽  
MingFu Li
Keyword(s):  
Chloroplast Genome ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Intergenic Spacer ◽  
Dna Barcodes ◽  
Ecological Value ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Chloroplast Genomes ◽  
Phylogenetic Implications

AbstractThe pantropical plant genus Dalbergia comprises approximately 250 species, most of which have a high economic and ecological value. However, these species are among the most threatened due to illegal logging and the timber trade. To enforce protective legislation and ensure effective conservation of Dalbergia species, the identity of wood being traded must be accurately validated. For the rapid and accurate identification of Dalbergia species and assessment of phylogenetic relationships, it would be highly desirable to develop more effective DNA barcodes for these species. In this study, we sequenced and compared the chloroplast genomes of nine species of Dalbergia. We found that these chloroplast genomes were conserved with respect to genome size, structure, and gene content and showed low sequence divergence. We identified eight mutation hotspots, namely, six intergenic spacer regions (trnL-trnT, atpA-trnG, rps16-accD, petG-psaJ, ndhF-trnL, and ndhG-ndhI) and two coding regions (ycf1a and ycf1b), as candidate DNA barcodes for Dalbergia. Phylogenetic analyses based on whole chloroplast genome data provided the best resolution of Dalbergia, and phylogenetic analysis of the Fabaceae showed that Dalbergia was sister to Arachis. Based on comparison of chloroplast genomes, we identified a set of highly variable markers that can be developed as specific DNA barcodes.

scholarly journals Challenging species delimitation in Collembola: cryptic diversity among common springtails unveiled by DNA barcoding

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 470 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Porco ◽  
A. Bedos ◽  
Penelope Greenslade ◽  
C. Janion ◽  
D. Skarżyński ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Species Delimitation ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Congeneric Species ◽  
Nuclear Marker ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Intraspecific Divergence

Collembola is one of the major functional groups in soil as well as a model taxon in numerous disciplines. Therefore the accurate identification of specimens is critical, but could be jeopardised by cases of cryptic diversity. Several populations of six well characterised species of springtails were sequenced using the COI barcode fragment as a contribution to the global Collembola barcoding campaign. Each species showed high intraspecific divergence, comparable to interspecific sequence divergence values observed in previous studies and in 10 congeneric species barcoded here as a reference. The nuclear marker, 28S, confirmed all the intraspecific lineages found with COI, supporting the potential specific status of these entities. The implications of this finding for taxonomy and for disciplines relying on species names, such as evolution and ecology, are discussed.

Spermatozoa from a marsupial, the brushtail possum, contain β1,4-galactosyltransferase

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 402 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Braundmeier ◽  
William G. Breed ◽  
D. J. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Laboratory Mice ◽  
Sperm Surface ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
Sperm Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Porcine Spermatozoa ◽  
Egg Coat

β1,4-Galactosyltransferase-I (GalTase-I) is one of the key molecules on the sperm surface of eutherian mammals that is likely to be involved in binding to the egg coat, the zona pellucida, to mediate sperm–egg interaction. In laboratory mice, the species for which most data are available, this protein functions as a receptor for the zona pellucida protein ZP3 of the oocyte and, upon binding, triggers the sperm acrosome reaction. In the present study, we investigated the presence and abundance of GalTase-I in epididymal sperm extracts of a marsupial, the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula. For this, spermatozoa were collected from cauda epididymides and the amount of β1,4-galactosyltransferase activity in washed sperm extracts was compared with that of porcine spermatozoa. Overall β1,4-galactosyltransferase enzyme activity was found to be more abundant in possum sperm extracts than those from porcine spermatozoa (P < 0.05). Immunoblots with an antibody to mouse GalTase-I revealed that the molecular weight of possum spermatozoa GalTase-I was 66 kDa, which is similar to the molecular weight of GalTase-I in spermatozoa from eutherian mammals. The molecular weight of GalTase-I was the same in sperm extracts collected from the caput and cauda epididymides. These results demonstrate that GalTase-I is indeed present in possum spermatozoa and thus it may be a gamete receptor molecule on the sperm surface of marsupials as well as those of eutherian mammals.

scholarly journals GLIPR1L1 is an IZUMO-binding protein required for optimal fertilization in the mouse

BMC Biology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Avinash S. Gaikwad ◽  
Amanda L. Anderson ◽  
D. Jo Merriner ◽  
Anne E. O’Connor ◽  
Brendan J. Houston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Binding Partner ◽  
Acrosomal Exocytosis ◽  
Selective Ablation ◽  
Gamete Recognition ◽  
Pathogenesis Related ◽  
Critical Phase ◽  
Weight Protein ◽  
Multimeric Protein

Abstract Background The sperm protein IZUMO1 (Izumo sperm-egg fusion 1) and its recently identified binding partner on the oolemma, IZUMO1R, are among the first ligand-receptor pairs shown to be essential for gamete recognition and adhesion. However, the IZUMO1-IZUMO1R interaction does not appear to be directly responsible for promoting the fusion of the gamete membranes, suggesting that this critical phase of the fertilization cascade requires the concerted action of alternative fusogenic machinery. It has therefore been proposed that IZUMO1 may play a secondary role in the organization and/or stabilization of higher-order heteromeric complexes in spermatozoa that are required for membrane fusion. Results Here, we show that fertilization-competent (acrosome reacted) mouse spermatozoa harbor several high molecular weight protein complexes, a subset of which are readily able to adhere to solubilized oolemmal proteins. At least two of these complexes contain IZUMO1 in partnership with GLI pathogenesis-related 1 like 1 (GLIPR1L1). This interaction is associated with lipid rafts and is dynamically remodeled upon the induction of acrosomal exocytosis in preparation for sperm adhesion to the oolemma. Accordingly, the selective ablation of GLIPR1L1 leads to compromised sperm function characterized by a reduced ability to undergo the acrosome reaction and a failure of IZUMO1 redistribution. Conclusions Collectively, this study characterizes multimeric protein complexes on the sperm surface and identifies GLIPRL1L1 as a physiologically relevant regulator of IZUMO1 function and the fertilization process.

scholarly journals Cryo-electron microscopy structure of the filamentous bacteriophage IKe

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (12) ◽  
pp. 5493-5498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingwei Xu ◽  
Nir Dayan ◽  
Amir Goldbourt ◽  
Ye Xiang
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Coat Protein ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Horizontal Layer ◽  
Filamentous Bacteriophage ◽  
Hydrophobic Residues ◽  
Left Handed ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Positively Charged

The filamentous bacteriophage IKe infectsEscherichia colicells bearing IncN pili. We report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the micrometer-long IKe viral particle at a resolution of 3.4 Å. The major coat protein [protein 8 (p8)] consists of 47 residues that fold into a ∼68-Å-long helix. An atomic model of the coat protein was built. Five p8 helices in a horizontal layer form a pentamer, and symmetrically neighboring p8 layers form a right-handed helical cylinder having a rise per pentamer of 16.77 Å and a twist of 38.52°. The inner surface of the capsid cylinder is positively charged and has direct interactions with the encapsulated circular single-stranded DNA genome, which has an electron density consistent with an unusual left-handed helix structure. Similar to capsid structures of other filamentous viruses, strong capsid packing in the IKe particle is maintained by hydrophobic residues. Despite having a different length and large sequence differences from other filamentous phages, π–π interactions were found between Tyr9 of one p8 and Trp29 of a neighboring p8 in IKe that are similar to interactions observed in phage M13, suggesting that, despite sequence divergence, overall structural features are maintained.

Experiments on the Relationship between Perde and Seyir in Turkish Makam Music

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Can Akkoç ◽  
William A. Sethares ◽  
M. Kemal Karaosmanoğlu
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Information ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Melodic Contour ◽  
Temporal Cues ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
The Village ◽  
The Relationship

“When I was a kid, the elders in the village could tell the makam of a piece just by listening.” While interviewing performers, enthusiasts, and experts in traditional Turkish taksims (improvisations), variations of this comment were made many times. Some of the respondents claimed to be able to identify the makam of a taksim, but others believed that this ability might now be a lost art. This paper documents a series of experiments (based on caricaturized or skeletonized taksim-like creations) designed to determine if it is possible to identify the makam from purely acoustical features, and, when possible, to determine the relative importance of the various audible features that may be used to establish the makam. Two basic classes of features are investigated: perde (the set of pitches used in the performance) and seyir (which relates to temporal motion within the piece, for instance, repetitive or common motives or melodic contour). The experiments provide evidence that both kinds of features contribute to the ability to recognize makams. Experiments that randomize the order of events show that pitch cues (perde) are often adequate to allow accurate identification of the makam. In experiments where both pitch and temporal cues are present but conflict (for example, a piece in which the perde is chosen from one makam and the seyir from another), experts often favor the temporal information.

The egg coat zona pellucida 3 glycoprotein – evolution of its putative sperm-binding region in Old World murine rodents (Rodentia: Muridae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 2376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine A. Swann ◽  
Steven J. B. Cooper ◽  
William G. Breed
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Laboratory Mouse ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Molecular Divergence ◽  
Murine Rodents ◽  
Egg Coat

In eutherian mammals, before fertilisation can occur the spermatozoon has to bind to, and penetrate, the egg coat, the zona pellucida (ZP). In the laboratory mouse there is good evidence that the primary sperm-binding site is a protein region encoded by Exon 7 of the ZP3 gene and it has been proposed that binding is species specific and evolves by sexual selection. In the present study we investigate these hypotheses by comparing Exon 6 and 7 sequences of ZP3 in 28 species of murine rodents of eight different divisions from Asia, Africa and Australasia, in which a diverse array of sperm morphologies occurs. We found considerable nucleotide (and corresponding amino acid) sequence divergence in Exon 7, but not in Exon 6, across these species, with evidence for positive selection at five codon positions. This molecular divergence does not appear to be due to reinforcement to reduce hybridisation, nor does it correlate with divergence in sperm head morphology or tail length, thus it is unlikely to be driven by inter-male sperm competition. Other forms of post-copulatory sexual selection therefore appear to have resulted in the molecular divergence of this region of ZP3 in this highly speciose group of mammals.

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