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Activation and subsequent degradation of proacrosin is mediated by zona pellucida glycoproteins, negatively charged polysaccharides, and DNA
Author(s) -
Eberspaecher Uwe,
Gerwien Jens,
Habenicht UrsulaFriederike,
Schleuning WolfDieter,
Donner Peter
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.1080300214
Subject(s) - biology , zona pellucida , glycoprotein , polysaccharide , microbiology and biotechnology , degradation (telecommunications) , dna , zona pellucida glycoprotein , biochemistry , oocyte , genetics , embryo , telecommunications , computer science
Boar proacrosin (E.C. 3.4.21.10, Mw 53 kD) was isolated by a modified method and subjected to autoactivation. Previously described molecular intermediates of 49 and 43 kD and a stable form (β‐acrosin, 35 kD) were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Autoactivation was expedited in the presence of either zona pellucida glycoproteins, fucoidan, or DNA. The end point of this accelerated conversion was the complete degradation of otherwise stable β‐acrosin via the formation of a characteristic active intermediate protein of 30 kD. All intermediate molecular forms observed during proacrosin activation/conversion exhibited the N‐terminal sequence of the boar acrosin heavy chain, indicating a C‐terminal processing mechanism. Hence zona pellucida glycoproteins stimulate proacrosin activation as well as acrosin degradation. Such a mechanism of proenzyme activation and degradation is to our knowledge described here for the first time and points to a previously unrecognized role of zona pellucida during gamete interaction.