ASTL
ASTL (astacin like metalloendopeptidase), also known as ovastacin or SAS1B, is an oocyte-specific member of the astacin family of metalloendopeptidases. It is involved in sperm and egg adhesion, fertilisation and the prevention of polyspermy. Browse Assay Genie's current range of ASTL research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
ASTL is described in UniProt as an oocyte-specific oolemmal receptor involved in sperm and egg adhesion and in fertilisation. It also plays a role in inhibiting polyspermy. It is thought to act as a protease in the cleavage of ZP2 after fertilisation. Following fertilisation and cortical granule exocytosis, ASTL cleaves the sperm-binding glycoprotein ZP2 at the surface of the zona pellucida. This leaves the zona pellucida unable to support further sperm binding.
The ASTL protein is annotated with the EC number 3.4.-.-, placing it among the peptidases. It is assigned to the astacin gene group, and its previous HGNC name describes it as an astacin-like metallo-endopeptidase of the M12 family. UniProt lists its subcellular locations as the cytoplasm, the cell membrane and cortical granules, which are secretory vesicles. NCBI Gene summarises predicted activities as metalloendopeptidase, aspartic-type peptidase and glutamic-type peptidase activity. The same summary predicts roles in negative regulation of sperm binding to the zona pellucida, positive regulation of protein processing and prevention of polyspermy.
The alternative names ovastacin and SAS1B are both recorded as aliases for the human ASTL gene. The mouse ortholog is Astl. Because ASTL links gamete adhesion with the post-fertilisation block to polyspermy, it is a useful target for studies of oocyte biology and the molecular events of egg activation.
ASTL is an oocyte-specific oolemmal receptor involved in sperm and egg adhesion and in fertilisation.
ASTL contributes to inhibiting polyspermy by modifying the zona pellucida after fertilisation.
ASTL is thought to cleave the sperm-binding glycoprotein ZP2 following cortical granule exocytosis, so that the zona no longer supports sperm binding.
As an M12 astacin-family metalloendopeptidase, ASTL provides a model for studying protease function in reproductive biology.
ASTL is an oocyte-specific protease and oolemmal receptor involved in sperm and egg adhesion and fertilisation. After fertilisation and cortical granule exocytosis, it cleaves ZP2 at the zona pellucida surface, so that the zona can no longer support sperm binding. This helps prevent polyspermy.
ASTL stands for astacin like metalloendopeptidase. It is also called ovastacin and SAS1B. An earlier HGNC name was astacin-like metallo-endopeptidase (M12 family). It belongs to the astacin gene group, and UniProt names the protein Astacin-like metalloendopeptidase.
A mouse ortholog, Astl, is recorded for the human gene. The source data give no rat ortholog. Researchers should check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity before using it in a given species.
Other fertilisation-related proteins, zona pellucida components and metalloprotease targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q6HA08; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.