A Guide to Zona Pellucida Domain Proteins

Focuses on the great diversity of zona pellucida domain (ZPD) proteins in mammalian and non–mammalian animal species and the roles of ZPD proteins in biology

A ZPD is present in proteins that constitute the extracellular coats of mammalian and non–mammalian eggs, as well as in hundreds of other extracellular proteins found in multicellular organisms. ZPD mutations can result in Crohn s disease, deafness, cancer, or infertility.

A Guide to Zona Pellucida Domain Proteins provides a clear, comprehensive presentation of key features of ZPD proteins, from their structure and function to their evolution. Features include:

A description of the synthesis and structure of mouse ZP proteins, prototypical ZPD proteins, followed by a description of ZPD structure and function, evolution of ZPD proteins, and use of mammalian ZP proteins as anti–fertility vaccines A survey of ZP proteins in mammals, from monotremes to placental mammals A survey of ZPD proteins in mammals, from platypus to human beings A survey of ZPD proteins in non–mammals, from jellyfish to birds References and Summary Tables of comparative data on ZPD proteins Appendix with Tables of comparative data on mammalian and non–mammalian ZPD proteins
Written with advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and practicing scientists in mind, the Guide should be useful to anyone interested in learning about or working on ZPD proteins.

List of Tables

Abbreviations

Preface

Part A. Zona Pellucida Domain Proteins

A.1 Nature of the ZPD

A.2 Mouse ZP Proteins

A.3 Synthesis, Secretion, and Assembly of ZP Proteins

A.4 Structure of the ZPD

A.5 Evolution of ZPD Proteins

Part B. Mammalian Zona Pellucida Proteins

B.1 Introduction

B.2 Monotremes – Platypus (O. anatinus) – ZP1–4

B.3 Marsupials – Brushtail Possum (T. vulpecula) – ZP2–4

B.4 Placental Mammals

B.5 Mammalian ZP Proteins as Anti–Fertility Vaccines

B.6 Summary Tables

Part C. Mammalian Zona Pellucida Domain Proteins

C.1 Betaglycan/TGF Receptor Type III

C.2 Cub and Zona Pellucida–like Domain 1 (CUZD–1) Proteins

C.3 Deleted in Malignant Brain Tumor 1 (DMBT1) Proteins

C.4 Endoglin/CD–105

C.5 Liver–Specific ZPD–Containing Protein (LZP)

C.6 Oocyte–Secreted Protein 1 (Oosp1)

C.7 Pancreatic Zymogen Granule Protein (GP–2)

C.8 Placenta–Specific 1 (Plac1)

C.9 Tectorin–   and –

C.10 Uromodulin/Tamm–Horsfall Protein

C.11 Uromodulin–like Proteins

C.12 Summary Tables

Part D. Non–Mammalian Zona Pellucida Domain Proteins

D.1 Jellyfish (A. aurata)

D.2 Sea Urchins (S. purpuratus)

D.3 Nematodes (C. elegans)

D.4 Molluscs (H. rufescens)

D.5 Fruit Flies (D. melanogaster)

D.6 Tunicates – Vitelline Coat Proteins and Oikosins

D.7 Fish – Vitelline Envelope Proteins

D.8 Amphibians – Vitelline Envelope Proteins

D.9 Reptiles – Predicted ZPD Proteins

D.10 Birds – Vitelline Envelope Proteins     

D.11 Summary Tables

Part E. Appendix

E.1 Sources of Sequence Information

E.2 Site(s) of ZP Protein Synthesis

E.3 Characteristics of Mammalian and Non–Mammalian ZPD Proteins

E.4 Comparison of Vertebrate ZP Proteins with Human ZP1–4

E.5A and E.5B Sequence Alignments of ZPDs with 11 Cys Residues

Eveline S. Litscher, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in the Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Previously a Swiss National Science Foundation post–doctoral fellow in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, she has more than 20 years of research experience working on extracellular coat proteins of mammalian and non–mammalian eggs, and  has published more than 45 primary papers and reviews.

Paul M. Wassarman, Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Previously a faculty member in the Department of Biological Chemistry at Harvard Medical School and in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, he has more than 35 years of research experience working on extracellular coat proteins of mammalian and non–mammalian eggs, and has published more than 220 primary papers and reviews.