分子佐剂C3d增强草原兔尾鼠卵透明带3 DNA疫苗的免疫应答

为增强免疫不育的效果,探讨分子佐剂C3d对草原兔尾鼠透明带3(LaguruslagurusZonaPellucida3,LZP3)基因免疫的调节作用。构建了含3个拷贝C3d的lzp3基因真核细胞表达质粒pcDNA3-LZP3-C3d3(pcD-LC),以不含C3d的质粒pcDNA3-LZP3(pcD-L)为对照,体外转染HeLa细胞,RT-PCR和Westernblot分别检测到lzp3mRNA和蛋白的表达。对NIH雌性小鼠肌肉进行基因免疫注射,ELISA结果表明pcD-LC免疫诱导的特异性抗LZP3-IgG水平明显高于pcD-L对照组(P<0.05),且有长期免疫应答效应;MTT结果显示pcD-LC能够诱导淋巴细胞增殖活性的提高。抗生育实验表明pcD-LC免疫组显著降低窝产仔数(P<0.05),且卵巢切片正常。研究结果证实C3d能够增强lzp3DNA疫苗的特异性免疫应答并达到抗生育效果,为DNA疫苗控制草原兔尾鼠的深入研究提供了基础。     

Comparative ultrastructural studies of the zona radiata of marine fish eggs in three genera in Perciformes

The eggs of Mugil cephalus were significantly larger than those of Epinephelus malabaricus , and E. coioides , while those of Sciaenops ocellatus were intermediate between E. coioides and M. cephalus . The distribution density of pores in the egg envelope of S. ocellatus was significantly different from that of E. malabaricus and E. coioides . The micropyle diameters were significantly different in the four species. The ultrastructure of the zona radiata surface, the distribution density of pores and the size of eggs were also useful characters for distinguishing among the four species, but the ultrastructural features of the micropyles were the most important of all for egg identification.     

Role of sialic acid in bovine sperm-zona pellucida binding

Sperm binding activity has been detected in zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins and it is generally accepted that this activity resides in the carbohydrate moieties. In the present study we aim to identify some of the specific carbohydrate molecules involved in the bovine sperm-ZP interaction. We performed sperm binding competition assays, in vitro fecundation (IVF) in combination with different lectins, antibodies and neuraminidase digestion, and chemical and cytochemical analysis of the bovine ZP. Both MAA lectin recognising alpha-2,3-linked sialic acid and neuraminidase from Salmonella typhimurium with catalytic activity for alpha-2,3-linked sialic acid, demonstrated a high inhibitory effect on the sperm-ZP binding and oocyte penetration. These results suggest that bovine sperm-ZP binding is mediated by alpha-2,3-linked sialic acid. Experiments with trisaccharides (sialyllactose, 3'-sialyllactosamine and 6'-sialyllactosamine) and glycoproteins (fetuin and asialofetuin) corroborated this and suggest that at least the sequence Neu5Ac(alpha2-3)Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc is involved in the sperm-ZP interaction. Moreover, these results indicate the presence of a sperm plasma membrane specific protein for the sialic acid. Chemical analysis revealed that bovine ZP glycoproteins contain mainly Neu5Ac (84.5%) and Neu5GC (15.5%). These two types of sialic acid residues are probably linked to Galbeta1,4GlcNAc and GalNAc by alpha-2,3- and alpha-2,6-linkages, respectively, as demonstrated by lectin cytochemical analysis. The use of a neuraminidase inhibitor resulted in an increased number of spermatozoa bound to the ZP and penetrating the oocyte. From this last result we hypothesize that a neuraminidase from cortical granules would probably participate in the block to polyspermy by removing sialic acid from the ZP.     

Disulfide linkage patterns of pig zona pellucida glycoproteins ZP3 and ZP4

Zona pellucida, a transparent envelope surrounding the mammalian oocyte, plays major roles in fertilization and consists of three or four glycoproteins. Primary structures, and especially the positions of cysteine (Cys) residues in the zona glycoproteins, are well conserved among mammals. In this study, we analyzed the disulfide linkages of pig ZP3 and ZP4 purified from ovaries. While disulfide linkage patterns of four Cys residues in the N-terminal halves of the ZP domains of ZP3 and ZP4 were identical to those previously reported for mice, rats, humans, and fish, the disulfide linkage patterns of six Cys residues in the C-terminal half of the ZP domain in ZP4, as well as eight Cys residues in the C-terminal region of the ZP domain and a following region unique to ZP3, were different from those previously reported. Thus, higher-order structures of zona glycoproteins might not be conserved in the C-terminal regions.     

人卵透明带蛋白ZP3a和ZP3b肽段的免疫原性及其抗血清体外抑制人精子-半透明带结合

分析大肠杆菌表达的重组人卵透明带-3（r-huZP3）蛋白两个肽段（r-huZP3a^22-176及r-huZP3b^177-348）的免疫原性,比较两者抗血清体外抑制人精子-半透明带结合的能力。以制备性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳（PAGE）纯化的大肠杆菌表达蛋白为抗原,主动免疫新西兰兔产生抗huZP3a^22-176及huZP3b^177-348抗血清：通过ELISA测定比较两者的抗体应答水平;以蛋白印迹和免疫组化方法测定两者抗血清同重组表达蛋白、大然人卵ZP以及卵巢组织的反应性;通过竞争性半透明带结合试验（hemizona assay,HZA）观察两者抗血清体外抑制人精子-ZP结合能力。结果显示：未与人分子蛋白载体耦联的r-huZP3a^22-176和r-huZP3b^177-348抗原都在免疫兔中产生了较高的抗体滴度,而且它们的抗血清可识别人肠杆菌表达的各自重组ZP3肽以及人卵细胞表面天然ZP,两者抗血清也都能在体外抑制人精子-ZP结合。由此可见,r-huZP3^22-176及r-huZP3b^177-348蛋白具有良好免疫原性,所产生抗血清也都显示出细胞和组织特异性。因此,单一或合并两个huZP3肽段均可作为抗原研制检测不明原因性不孕妇女中是否存在抗自身ZP抗体的诊断试剂盒,另外它们的抗血清也能用于鉴定已知huZP3表位肽段的最小B-细胞表位基序。     

Structural model of human endoglin, a transmembrane receptor responsible for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Endoglin is a type I membrane protein expressed as a disulphide-linked homodimer on human vascular endothelial cells whose haploinsufficiency is responsible for the dominant vascular dysplasia known as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Structurally, endoglin belongs to the zona pellucida (ZP) family of proteins that share a ZP domain of ∼ 260 amino acid residues at their extracellular region. Endoglin is a component of the TGF-β receptor complex, interacts with the TGF-β signalling receptors types I and II, and modulates cellular responses to TGF-β. Here, we have determined for the first time the three-dimensional structure of the ∼ 140 kDa extracellular domain of endoglin at 25 Å resolution, using single-particle electron microscopy (EM). This reconstruction provides the general architecture of endoglin, which arranges as a dome made of antiparallel oriented monomers enclosing a cavity at one end. A high-resolution structure of endoglin has also been modelled de novo and found to be consistent with the experimental reconstruction. Each subunit comprises three well-defined domains, two of them corresponding to ZP regions, organised into an open U-shaped monomer. This domain arrangement was found to closely resemble the overall structure derived experimentally and the three modelled de novo domains were tentatively assigned to the domains observed in the EM reconstruction. This molecular model was further tested by tagging endoglin's C terminus with an IgG Fc fragment visible after 3D reconstruction of the labelled protein. Combined, these data provide the structural framework to interpret endoglin's functional domains and mutations found in HHT patients.     

Protein-carbohydrate complementarity in mammalian gamete recognition

Recent studies suggest that gamete recognition in a number of species is mediated by complementary proteins and carbohydrates on opposing gamete surfaces. Studies in invertebrates and vertebrates have shown that carbohydrate-binding proteins on the sperm surface recognize and bind to complementary glycoconjugates on the egg's extracellular coat. This chapter reviews our current knowledge of gamete recognition in the mouse. The complementary receptors for both mouse sperm and egg have been identified, purified, and characterized. Their synthesis during gametogenesis has been defined, as have the effects of sperm capacitation and of the acrosome reaction on their expression and distribution. Their relationship to gamete receptors that function in other species is discussed. Finally, evidence is presented that suggests that one of the receptors that mediate mouse gamete recognition belongs to a family of cell surface receptors that function during multiple cellular interactions in development.     

The Biological and Functional Significance of the Sperm Acrosome and Acrosomal Enzymes in Mammalian Fertilization

The mammalian spermatozoon undergoes continuous modifications during spermatogenesis, maturation in the epididymis, and capacitation in the female reproductive tract. Only the capacitated spermatozoa are capable of binding the zona-intact egg and undergoing the acrosome reaction. The fertilization process is a net result of multiple molecular events which enable ejaculated spermatozoa to recognize and bind to the egg's extracellular coat, the zona pellucida (ZP). Sperm–egg interaction is a species-specific event which is initiated by the recognition and binding of complementary molecule(s) present on sperm plasma membrane (receptor) and the surface of the ZP (ligand). This is a carbohydrate-mediated event which initiates a signal transduction cascade resulting in the exocytosis of acrosomal contents. This step is believed to be a prerequisite which enables the acrosome reacted spermatozoa to penetrate the ZP and fertilize the egg. This review focuses on the formation and contents of the sperm acrosome as well as the mechanisms underlying the induction of the acrosome reaction. Special emphasis has been laid on the synthesis, processing, substrate specificity, and mechanism of action of the acid glycohydrolases present within the acrosome. The hydrolytic action of glycohydrolases and proteases released at the site of sperm-zona binding, along with the enhanced thrust generated by the hyperactivated beat pattern of the bound spermatozoon, are important factors regulating the penetration of ZP. We have discussed the most recent studies which have attempted to explain signal transduction pathways leading to the acrosomal exocytosis.     

Mouse granulosa cells contribute more to the mRNA synthesis of mZP2 than oocyte does

In order to elucidate the biogenesis of mouse zona pellucida 2 (mZP2) protein, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization were carried out to localize the expression of mouse ZP2 mRNA. Cumulus cells of the OCC (Oocyte-Cumulus cell Complex) were isolated from the oocytes after superovulation for the RNA extraction. The frozen sections of ovaries from adolescent and aged mice were prepared to hybridize with RNA probe of mouse ZP2. mRNA of ZP2 was detected in isolated cumulus cells by RT-PCR. Results of in situ hybridization showed that the mRNA of ZP2 was synthesized in both oocyte and granulosa cells at different folliculogenesis stages; and the expression of ZP2 mRNA in granulosa cells was stronger than that in oocyte; much weaker expression of mZP2 was detected in the follicles of aged mouse. These suggest that the entire amount of ZP2 mRNA generated in the granulosa cells layer should be much more than that in oocyte. Therefore, we think that the granulosa cells contribute more to the mZP2 mRNA synthesis than oocyte does.