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Mapping of Immunogenic Domains on Porcine Zona Pellucida 3 α and β Glycoproteins by Murine Monoclonal Antibodies
Author(s) -
GUPTA S.K.,
BAGAVANT HARINI,
CHADHA K.,
GUPTA M.,
YUREWICZ E.C.,
SACCO A.G.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1993.tb00608.x
Subject(s) - zona pellucida , epitope , zona pellucida glycoprotein , monoclonal antibody , microbiology and biotechnology , glycoprotein , isotype , biology , antibody , chemistry , immunology , oocyte , embryo
PROBLEM: Immunization with zona pellucida (ZP) leads to block in fertility with variable degree of ovarian dysfunctions. To design an immunocontraceptive vaccine based on synthetic peptides of zona pellucida, it is imperative to identify and define epitopes involved in sperm binding. METHOD: Epitopic domains recognized by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to either porcine ZP3α or ZP3β glycoproteins were delineated in an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the ability of a MAb in solution to inhibit the binding of biotinylated ZP3 to another MAb coated on a microtitration plate. Immunoblot studies were carried out to determine the nature of reactive determinants. Porcine oocytes preincubated with MAbs were tested for sperm binding in vitro. RESULTS: Out of 23 MAbs generated, 10 had specificity for ZP3α and 13 for ZP3β. By using these antibodies, eight epitopic domains on both ZP3α and ZP3β were discernible. On ZP3β, epitopic domain DI partially overlaps with DII and DV with DVI, whereas on ZP3α domains DI to DV were in close proximity with a partial overlap, suggesting the dominance of this region. All 10 MAbs against ZP3α, and 10 out of 13 against ZP3β recognized deglycosylated forms of antigens. Seven antibodies having specificities for ZP3α and ZP3β respectively recognized linear epitopes. MA‐30, having specificity for ZP3β and MA‐420 for ZP3α and recognizing linear epitopes significantly inhibit the binding of boar sperm to porcine oocytes in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these studies indicate the value of utilizing MAbs for identifying and characterizing functionally significant ZP determinants. MAbs recognizing sequential epitopes will help in the elucidation of the amino acid sequence of the epitopes, which will subsequently help in design of synthetic immunocontraceptive vaccines.