A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Novel Expression of Zona Pellucida 3 Protein in Normal Testis; Potential Functional Implications
Authors: Pulawska Kamila, Ponikwicka-Tyszko Donata, Lebiedzinska Weronika, Guo Peilan, Bernaczyk Piotr, Pilaszewicz-Puza Agata, Li Xiangdong, Chrusciel Marcin, Lupu Oana, Leskinen Sini, Mäkelä Juho-Antti, Toppari Jorma, Wolczynski Slawomir, Coelingh BenninkHerjan J.T., Huhtaniemi Ilpo, Rahman Nafis A.
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Article number: 111502
Volume: 539
eISSN: 1872-8057
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2021.111502
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2021.111502
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/68568615
The expression of the zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (ZP3), originally thought to be specific for oocytes, was recently extended to ovarian, prostate, colorectal and lung cancers. Earlier successful ZP3 immunization of a transgenic mouse model carrying a ZP3 positive ovarian tumor emphasized the suitability of ZP3 for cancer immunotherapy. This study was carried out to determine whether any other normal tissues besides the ovary in healthy human and mouse tissues may express ZP3, considered important to exclude off-target effects of ZP3 cancer immunotherapy. Strong ZP3 expression was found in normal human and mouse testis. ZP3 protein and mRNA transcripts were localized in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and round and elongated spermatids of both human and mouse testis, as well as in a mouse spermatogonial cell line, but absent in testicular Sertoli, Leydig, spermatogonial stem and progenitor cells. All other normal human and mouse tissues were ZP3 negative. This surprising testicular ZP3 expression has implications for the development of ZP3 cancer immunotherapies, and it also alludes to the potential of using ZP3 as a target for the development of a male immunocontraceptive.
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