Binding of recombinant human proacrosin/acrosin to zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins. I. Studies with recombinant human ZPA, ZPB, and ZPC.

OBJECTIVE:To characterize proacrosin/acrosin interaction with isolated zona pellucida (ZP) components. DESIGN:Prospective study. SETTING:Basic research laboratory. PATIENT(S):Recombinant proteins derived from human proacrosin (Rec-40, Rec-30, Rec-20, Rec-10, and Rec-6) and from human ZP glycoproteins (rec-hZPA, ZPB, and ZPC). INTERVENTION(S):In vitro binding assay developed to assess proacrosin/acrosin-ZP interaction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):Zona pellucida glycoprotein binding to proacrosin/acrosin; estimation of binding affinity. RESULT(S):Of all ZP proteins, rec-hZPA demonstrated the highest binding activity toward acrosin (Rec-30) (rec-hZPB: 42% of rec-hZPA; rec-hZPC: 39% of rec-hZPA; P<.0005). Rec-hZPA interaction was disturbed by dextran sulphate (75% inhibition with 10 microM), fucose (67% inhibition with 1.5 microM), and mannose (69% inhibition with 333 mM). Comparing binding activity of proacrosin with other N-terminal acrosin fragments, Rec-40 showed 2.6-3 times higher levels. Moreover, saturable high affinity binding of Rec-40 to ZP components was observed (Kd: 34 nM for rec-hZPA, 38 nM for rec-hZPB, 63 nM for rec-hZPC). CONCLUSION(S):The rec-hZPA is the major ZP ligand for human proacrosin/acrosin. The interaction involves mannosyl, fucosyl, and sulfated glycans. Binding sites for rec-hZP would be located both at the N- and C-terminus of proacrosin, revealing a key role of the proenzyme in the interaction.

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