Processed zona pellucida sperm-binding protein 1; Component of the zona pellucida, an extracellular matrix surrounding oocytes which mediates sperm binding, induction of the acrosome reaction and prevents post-fertilization polyspermy. The zona pellucida is composed of 3 to 4 glycoproteins, ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4. ZP1 ensures the structural integrity of the zona pellucida.

Growth/differentiation factor 9; Required for ovarian folliculogenesis; Belongs to the TGF-beta family.

Astacin-like metalloendopeptidase; Oocyte-specific oolemmal receptor involved in sperm and egg adhesion and fertilization. Plays a role in the polyspermy inhibition. Probably acts as a protease for the post-fertilization cleavage of ZP2. Cleaves the sperm-binding ZP2 at the surface of the zona pellucida after fertilization and cortical granule exocytosis, rendering the zona pellucida unable to support further sperm binding.

Oviduct-specific glycoprotein; Binds to oocyte zona pellucida in vivo. May play a role in the fertilization process and/or early embryonic development.

Acrosin heavy chain; Acrosin is the major protease of mammalian spermatozoa. It is a serine protease of trypsin-like cleavage specificity, it is synthesized in a zymogen form, proacrosin and stored in the acrosome; Belongs to the peptidase S1 family.

Factor in the germline alpha; Germ-line specific transcription factor implicated in postnatal oocyte-specific gene expression. Plays a key regulatory role in the expression of multiple oocyte-specific genes, including those that initiate folliculogenesis and those that encode the zona pellucida (ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3) required for fertilization and early embryonic survival. Essential for oocytes to survive and form primordial follicles. The persistence of FIGLA in adult females suggests that it may regulate additional pathways that are essential for normal ovarian development. Binds to the [...]

Bone morphogenetic protein 15; May be involved in follicular development. Oocyte-specific growth/differentiation factor that stimulates folliculogenesis and granulosa cell (GC) growth (By similarity); Belongs to the TGF-beta family.

Sonic hedgehog protein N-product; [Sonic hedgehog protein]: The C-terminal part of the sonic hedgehog protein precursor displays an autoproteolysis and a cholesterol transferase activity. Both activities result in the cleavage of the full-length protein into two parts (ShhN and ShhC) followed by the covalent attachment of a cholesterol moiety to the C-terminal of the newly generated ShhN. Both activities occur in the reticulum endoplasmic. Once cleaved, ShhC is degraded in the endoplasmic reticulum.

NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 5; As a member of the subcortical maternal complex (SCMC), plays an essential role for zygotes to progress beyond the first embryonic cell divisions.