oolemma

A more rigorous quantitative analysis of the surface localization of these molecular chaperones to the oolemma is now required.

The oocyte is pierced through the oolemma and into the inner part of the oocyte (cytoplasm).

The surface of the egg consists of an extracellular matrix, or zona pellucida, and plasma membrane, or oolemma, which sits beneath.

Constitutive expression of a number of HSPs and molecular chaperones has been characterized in immature oocytes and mature mouse eggs [ 38 39 40 ] , though none as yet have been localized to the oolemma.

To support the hypothesis that these molecular chaperones localize to the egg surface, we performed indirect immunofluorescence analysis and found that antibodies to HSP90α, GRP94, GRP78 and Calreticulin specifically bind to proteins on the oolemma.