Sperm require β-N-acetylglucosaminidase to penetrate through the egg zona pellucida

Fertilization in the mouse is initiated by sperm β1,4-galactosyltransferase (GalTase) binding to terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues on the zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP3. Binding of ZP3 induces exocytosis of the sperm acrosome, whose contents are believed to digest a penetration slit in the zona matrix through which sperm reach the egg. As a consequence of acrosomal exocytosis, GalTase is redistributed to the lateral aspect of the sperm head, where its function remains unknown. In this location, GalTase could conceivably impede zona penetration by binding to N-acetylglucosamine residues exposed on zona pellucida glycoproteins. Therefore, in this study we investigated the presence and function of acrosomal glycosidases capable of removing the GalTase-binding site from zona pellucida glycoproteins. β-N-acetylglucosaminidase was found at very high levels in sperm, being more than 20-fold higher than other glycosidases assayed. The specific isozymic variant was identified as β-hexosaminidase B. β-N-acetylglucosaminidase was localized to sperm acrosomes by biochemical and indirect immunofluorescence studies and was released during the acrosome reaction, as expected for an enzyme involved in zona penetration. To determine if, in fact, acrosomal β-N-acetylglucosaminidase facilitated penetration through the zona, an assay was developed using eggs that were rendered incapable of triggering the block to polyspermy. A specific competitive inhibitor of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, PUGNAC, inhibited sperm penetration of the zona in a dose-dependent manner, whereas a closely related β-glucosidase inhibitor, PUGLU, had no effect on zona penetration or on β-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity. Neither glycosidase inhibitor affected sperm motility or induction of the acrosome reaction. These results demonstrate that β-N-acetylglucosaminidase is found in sperm acrosomes and is released during the acrosome reaction, at which time it facilitates sperm penetration through the zona. These results also imply that sperm have developed mechanisms to prevent the formation of stable interactions between surface receptors and their zona pellucida ligands during penetration.