Mammalian fertilization involves a physical interaction between a sperm and an egg followed by molecular interactions amongst their various cell surface molecules. These interactions are initially mediated on the egg’s outermost matrix, zona pellucida (ZP), and then its plasma membrane. To better understand this process, it is pertinent to find the corresponding molecules on sperm that interact with ZP or the egg’s plasma membrane. Although currently, we have some knowledge about the binding partners for egg’s plasma membrane on sperm, yet the ones involved in an interaction with ZP have remained remarkably elusive. This review provides comprehensive knowledge about the various sperm proteins participating in mammalian fertilization and discusses the possible reasons for not being able to identify the strong sperm surface candidate (s) for ZP adhesion. It also hypothesizes the existence of a multi-protein complex(s), members of which participate in oviduct transport, cumulus penetration, zona adhesion, and adhesion/fusion with the egg’s plasma membrane; with some protein(s) having multiple roles during this process. Identification of these proteins is crucial as it improves our understanding of the process and allows us to successfully treat infertility, develop contraceptives, and improve artificial reproductive technologies.

中文翻译：

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哺乳动物受精中神秘的精子蛋白：概述。

哺乳动物受精涉及精子和卵子之间的物理相互作用，然后是它们各种细胞表面分子之间的分子相互作用。这些相互作用最初是在鸡蛋的最外层基质透明带 (ZP) 上介导的，然后是其质膜。为了更好地理解这个过程，有必要在精子上找到与 ZP 或卵子质膜相互作用的相应分子。虽然目前，我们对精子上卵细胞质膜的结合伙伴有了一些了解，但与 ZP 相互作用的那些仍然非常难以捉摸。本综述提供了有关参与哺乳动物受精的各种精子蛋白的全面知识，并讨论了无法识别强精子表面候选者 ZP 粘附的可能原因。它还假设存在多蛋白复合物，其成员参与输卵管运输、卵丘渗透、透明带粘附以及与卵细胞质膜的粘附/融合；某些蛋白质在此过程中具有多种作用。识别这些蛋白质至关重要，因为它可以提高我们对这一过程的理解，并使我们能够成功治疗不孕症、开发避孕药并改进人工生殖技术。卵丘渗透、透明带粘附以及与卵细胞质膜的粘附/融合；某些蛋白质在此过程中具有多种作用。识别这些蛋白质至关重要，因为它可以提高我们对这一过程的理解，并使我们能够成功治疗不孕症、开发避孕药并改进人工生殖技术。卵丘渗透、透明带粘附以及与卵细胞质膜的粘附/融合；某些蛋白质在此过程中具有多种作用。鉴定这些蛋白质至关重要，因为它可以提高我们对这一过程的理解，并使我们能够成功治疗不孕症、开发避孕药并改进人工生殖技术。