The fusing ability of sperm is bestowed by CD9-containing vesicles released from eggs in mice

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Sep 2;105(35):12921-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0710608105. Epub 2008 Aug 26.

Abstract

Membrane fusion is an essential step in the encounter of two nuclei from sex cells-sperm and egg-in fertilization. However, aside from the involvement of two molecules, CD9 and Izumo, the mechanism of fusion remains unclear. Here, we show that sperm-egg fusion is mediated by vesicles containing CD9 that are released from the egg and interact with sperm. We demonstrate that the CD9(-/-) eggs, which have a defective sperm-fusing ability, have impaired release of CD9-containing vesicles. We investigate the fusion-facilitating activity of CD9-containing vesicles by examining the fusion of sperm to CD9(-/-) eggs with the aid of exogenous CD9-containing vesicles. Moreover, we show, by examining the fusion of sperm to CD9(-/-) eggs, that hamster eggs have a similar fusing ability as mouse eggs. The CD9-containing vesicle release from unfertilized eggs provides insight into the mechanism required for fusion with sperm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fertilization
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / deficiency
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Ovum / cytology
  • Ovum / metabolism*
  • Ovum / ultrastructure
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Secretory Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Secretory Vesicles / ultrastructure
  • Sperm-Ovum Interactions / physiology*
  • Spermatozoa / cytology*
  • Tetraspanin 29

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Cd9 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Tetraspanin 29
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins