The zona pellucida (ZP) is the extracellular coat that surrounds the mammalian oocyte. It forms a spherical shell of remarkably uniform thickness (5-10 mm in eutherian mammals) composed of three glycosylated proteins (ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3). Penetration of this shell by spermatozoa plays a crucial role in mammalian fertilization and any inability of spermatozoa to penetrate the ZP inevitably leads to infertility. The purpose of this work is to shed light to the three-dimensional structure of the ZP, its construction and its properties as a polymer. By means of the Atomic Force Microscopy (force-distance curves) we have determined for the first time several ZP structural properties (elasticity, plasticity, adhesion, etc.) during the ovulatory, periovulatory and fertilized phase. Moreover information about single polymers interactions has been obtained by means detachment experiments (pull-off curves).

Papi, M., Arcovito, G., De Spirito, M., Physical Properties of the Zona Pellucida, Abstract de <<Biophysical society, 53th annual meeting>>, (Boston, 28-February 04-March 2009 ), <<BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL>>, 2009; 2009 (96): 337-337. 10.1016/j.bpj.2008.12.3816 [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/17343]

Physical Properties of the Zona Pellucida

Papi, Massimiliano;Arcovito, Giuseppe;De Spirito, Marco
2009

Abstract

The zona pellucida (ZP) is the extracellular coat that surrounds the mammalian oocyte. It forms a spherical shell of remarkably uniform thickness (5-10 mm in eutherian mammals) composed of three glycosylated proteins (ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3). Penetration of this shell by spermatozoa plays a crucial role in mammalian fertilization and any inability of spermatozoa to penetrate the ZP inevitably leads to infertility. The purpose of this work is to shed light to the three-dimensional structure of the ZP, its construction and its properties as a polymer. By means of the Atomic Force Microscopy (force-distance curves) we have determined for the first time several ZP structural properties (elasticity, plasticity, adhesion, etc.) during the ovulatory, periovulatory and fertilized phase. Moreover information about single polymers interactions has been obtained by means detachment experiments (pull-off curves).
2009
Inglese
Papi, M., Arcovito, G., De Spirito, M., Physical Properties of the Zona Pellucida, Abstract de <<Biophysical society, 53th annual meeting>>, (Boston, 28-February 04-March 2009 ), <<BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL>>, 2009; 2009 (96): 337-337. 10.1016/j.bpj.2008.12.3816 [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/17343]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10807/17343
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