Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Zona pellucida
The zona pellucida is a glycoprotein matrix surrounding the plasma membrane of a mammalian oocyte. This structure binds spermatozoa, and is required to initiate the acrosome reaction. The zona glycoprotein, ZP3 , is responsible for sperm binding, adhering to proteins on the sperm plasma membrane. There is evidence that ZP3 is then involved in the induction of the acrosome reaction, whereby a spermatozoon releases the contents of the acrosomal vesicle.
Reference
- Oehninger S. 2003. Biochemical and functional characterization of the human zona pellucida. Reprod Biomed Online 7:641-8.
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details