Expression of a P-selectin ligand in zona pellucida of porcine oocytes and P-selectin on acrosomal membrane of porcine sperm cells. Potential implications for their involvement in sperm-egg interactions

J Cell Biol. 1997 May 5;137(3):743-54. doi: 10.1083/jcb.137.3.743.

Abstract

The selectin family of cell adhesion molecules mediates initial leukocyte adhesion to vascular endothelial cells at sites of inflammation. O-glycan structural similarities between oligosaccharides from human leukocyte P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) and from zona pellucida glycoproteins of porcine oocytes indicate the possible existence of a P-selectin ligand in the zona pellucida. Here, using biochemical as well as morphological approaches, we demonstrate that a P-selectin ligand is expressed in the porcine zona pellucida. In addition, a search for a specific receptor for this ligand leads to the identification of P-selectin on the acrosomal membrane of porcine sperm cells. In vitro binding of porcine acrosome-reacted sperm cells to oocytes was found to be Ca2+ dependent and inhibitable with either P-selectin, P-selectin receptor-globulin, or leukocyte adhesion blocking antibodies against P-selectin and PSGL-1. Moreover, porcine sperm cells were found to be capable of binding to human promyeloid cell line HL-60. Taken together, our findings implicate a potential role for the oocyte P-selectin ligand and the sperm P-selectin in porcine sperm-egg interactions.

MeSH terms

  • Acrosome / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • E-Selectin / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Oocytes / metabolism*
  • P-Selectin / physiology*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Sperm-Ovum Interactions*
  • Swine
  • Zona Pellucida / metabolism*

Substances

  • E-Selectin
  • Ligands
  • P-Selectin
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Calcium