Open AccessThe cell biology of fertilization: Gamete attachment and fusion
Author(s) -
K.K.W. Siu,
Vitor Hugo Balasco Serrão,
Ahmed Ziyyat,
Jeffrey E. Lee
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the journal of cell biology/the journal of cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.414
H-Index - 380
eISSN - 1540-8140
pISSN - 0021-9525
DOI - 10.1083/jcb.202102146
Subject(s) - gamete , human fertilization , zygote , biology , zona pellucida , sperm , acrosome reaction , in vitro fertilisation , oocyte , acrosome , microbiology and biotechnology , evolutionary biology , genetics , embryo , embryogenesis
Fertilization is defined as the union of two gametes. During fertilization, sperm and egg fuse to form a diploid zygote to initiate prenatal development. In mammals, fertilization involves multiple ordered steps, including the acrosome reaction, zona pellucida penetration, sperm–egg attachment, and membrane fusion. Given the success of in vitro fertilization, one would think that the mechanisms of fertilization are understood; however, the precise details for many of the steps in fertilization remain a mystery. Recent studies using genetic knockout mouse models and structural biology are providing valuable insight into the molecular basis of sperm–egg attachment and fusion. Here, we review the cell biology of fertilization, specifically summarizing data from recent structural and functional studies that provide insights into the interactions involved in human gamete attachment and fusion.