Separately prestored proteasome components to prevent polyspermy
Liying Wang, Chao Liu, Xing Wang, Yueshuai Guo, Qiuxing Zhou, Yinghong Chen, Huafang Wei, Xiaoming Huang, Shuai Liu, Wei Li, Chun So, Ling Sun, Renjie Jiao, Xuejiang Guo, Qiang Guo
The paper shows that testis-specific 20S proteasome core particles in sperm help prevent polyspermy by forming chimeric proteasomes that degrade Fetuin B, leading to zona pellucida hardening.
bioRxiv · Sep 1, 2025 · PreprintDevelopmental Biology