The zona pellucida is an extracellular matrix that surrounds the oocyte and early embryo. It is composed primarily of three or four glycoproteins with various functions during fertilization and preimplantation development. The protein encoded by this gene ensures the structural integrity of the zona pellucida. Mutations in this gene are a cause of oocyte maturation defect and infertility. Protein function: The mammalian zona pellucida, which mediates species- specific sperm binding, induction of the acrosome reaction and prevents post-fertilization polyspermy, is composed of three to four glycoproteins, ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4. ZP1 ensures the structural integrity of the zona pellucida. [The UniProt Consortium]
