High impact information on zp3b

• Using degenerate reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques we have isolated a cDNA encoding a putative component of the zebrafish Danio rerio egg chorion, homologous to the mammalian ZP3 (ZPC) [1].
• The zfZPC contains the ZP domain, a characteristic amino acid sequence shared by all ZP proteins of the mammalian zona pellucida and of both amphibian and bird egg envelope components [1].
• RT-PCR and in situ hybridization revealed a restricted pattern of tissue distribution: the gene encoding zfZPC is transcribed only in the growing oocyte of sexually mature female fish [1].
• The zfZPC also exhibits certain unique features including five N-terminal Q-rich tandem repeats presumably involved in the hardening of the chorion after the fertilization of the egg and a long C-terminal tail containing two potential sites of N-linked type glycosylation [1].
• We have attempted to apply this approach to the study of a female reproductive protein, zona pellucida C (ZPC), which has been previously shown by the use of likelihood ratio tests (LRTs) to be under positive selection in mammals [2].

Biological context of zp3b

• Similar to mammalian ZP proteins, both zebrafish ZP2 and ZP3 contain several potential phosphorylation sites [3].
• Two zebrafish cDNA clones encoding homologs of mammalian zona pellucida proteins ZP2 and ZP3 were isolated from a whole adult cDNA library [3].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of zp3b

• Northern blot analysis indicated that both zebrafish ZP2 and ZP3 mRNAs were expressed exclusively in the ovary and hence the ovary is likely the only site for ZP2 and ZP3 biosynthesis [3].

References