Assignment of the sperm protein zona receptor tyrosine kinase gene (SPRMTK) to porcine chromosome SSC3q11→q12 by fluorescence in situ hybridization and by analysis of somatic cell and radiation hybrid panels

The recognition of carbohydrate sequences by complementary receptors has been shown to be a critical factor when the plasma membrane of the sperm head binds to the zona pellucida (ZP), an extracellular coat surrounding the oocyte. ZP3, one of the three glycoproteins in the ZP, is the egg protein recognized by sperm. A human sperm surface protein, HUMSPRMTK (Mr = 95,000) homolog has been identified on the basis of its specific affinity for ZP3 (Burks et al., 1995). It is expressed only in testicular germ cells, which has been assigned to chromosome HSA2q. Detailed mapping and the availability of the primary sequence would further our understanding of the molecular basis of infertility and for development of a spermtargeted contraceptive. The latter based on the fact that synthetic blocking of the intracellular domain inhibits phosphotyrosine activity (Leyton and Saling, 1989), thus preventing fertilization. Here we report the localization of the porcine sperm protein zona receptor tyrosine kinase gene to chromosome 3q11→q12. Materials and methods