The Zona pellucida-like domain (ZP domain / ZP-like domain / ZP module) is a large protein

region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as zones, lands or territories, are areas that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and the interaction of humanity and t ...

of about 260 amino acids. It has been recognised in a variety of receptor-like eukaryotic

glycoprotein Glycoproteins are proteins which contain oligosaccharide chains covalently attached to amino acid side-chains. The carbohydrate is attached to the protein in a cotranslational or posttranslational modification. This process is known as glycos ...

s. All of these molecules are mosaic proteins with a large extracellular region composed of various domains, often followed by either a transmembrane region and a very short

cytoplasm In cell biology, the cytoplasm is all of the material within a eukaryotic cell, enclosed by the cell membrane, except for the cell nucleus. The material inside the nucleus and contained within the nuclear membrane is termed the nucleoplasm. The ...

ic region or by a GPI-anchor. Functional and crystallographic studies revealed that the "ZP domain" region common to all these proteins is a protein polymerization module that consists of two distinct but structurally related immunoglobulin-like domains, ZP-N and ZP-C. The ZP module is located in the C-terminal portion of the extracellular region and – with the exception of non-polymeric family member ENG – contains 8 or 10 conserved Cys residues involved in disulfide bonds. The first 3D structure of a ZP module protein filament, native human

uromodulin Uromodulin (UMOD), also known as Tamm–Horsfall protein (THP), is a Zona pellucida-like domain-containing glycoprotein that in humans is encoded by the ''UMOD'' gene. Uromodulin is the most abundant protein excreted in ordinary urine. Gene T ...

(

UMOD Uromodulin (UMOD), also known as Tamm–Horsfall protein (THP), is a Zona pellucida-like domain-containing glycoprotein that in humans is encoded by the ''UMOD'' gene. Uromodulin is the most abundant protein excreted in ordinary urine. Gene T ...

), was determined by

cryo-EM Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a cryomicroscopy technique applied on samples cooled to cryogenic temperatures. For biological specimens, the structure is preserved by embedding in an environment of vitreous ice. An aqueous sample so ...

. Additional copies of isolated ZP-N domains are found in the N-terminal region of egg coat protein subunits involved in

fertilization Fertilisation or fertilization (see spelling differences), also known as generative fertilisation, syngamy and impregnation, is the fusion of gametes to give rise to a new individual organism or offspring and initiate its development. Proce ...

in both vertebrates and invertebrates, such as human

zona pellucida The zona pellucida (plural zonae pellucidae, also egg coat or pellucid zone) is a specialized extracellular matrix that surrounds the plasma membrane of mammalian oocytes. It is a vital constitutive part of the oocyte. The zona pellucida first ...

components ZP1,

ZP2 Zona pellucida sperm-binding protein 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ZP2'' gene. Function The zona pellucida is an extracellular matrix that surrounds the oocyte and early embryo. It is composed primarily of three (mouse) or ...

and ZP4 and mollusk

vitelline Vitelline may refer to: Embryology * Vitelline arteries, arteries that bring blood to the yolk sac * Vitelline circulation, the system of blood flowing between an embryo and its yolk sac * Vitelline cyst, a developmental defect relating to the c ...

envelope receptor for egg lysin (VERL).

Examples

Humans genes encoding proteins containing this domain include: * CUZD1 *

DMBT1 Deleted in malignant brain tumors 1 protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''DMBT1'' gene. Function Loss of sequences from human chromosome 10q has been associated with the progression of human cancers. The gene DMBT1 was origi ...

* ENG * GP2 * OIT3 * POMZP3 *

TECTA Alpha-tectorin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''TECTA'' gene. The tectorial membrane is an apical extracellular matrix (aECM) of the inner ear that contacts the stereocilia bundles of specialized sensory hair cells. Sound induces m ...

, TECTB, TGFBR3 *

, UMODL1 * ZP1,

ZP3 Zona pellucida sperm-binding protein 3, also known as zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (Zp-3) or the sperm receptor, is a ZP module-containing protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ZP3'' gene. ZP3 is the receptor in the zona pellucida which bin ...

, ZP4, ZPLD1

References

Protein domains Protein families Single-pass transmembrane proteins {{membrane-protein-stub