The mammalian oocyte is encased by a transparent extracellular matrix, the zona pellucida (ZP), which consists of three glycoproteins, ZPA, ZPB, and ZPC. The glycan structures of the porcine ZP and the complete N-glycosylation pattern of the ZPB/ZPC oligomer has been recently described. Here we report the N-glycan pattern and N-glycosylation sites of the porcine ZP glycoprotein ZPA of an immature oocyte population as determined by a mass spectrometric approach. In-gel deglycosylation of the

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... trophoretically separated ZPA protein and comparison of the pattern obtained from the native, the desialylated and the endo-␤-galactosidase-treated glycoprotein allowed the assignment of the glycan structures by MALDI-TOF MS by considering the reported oligosaccharide structures. The major N-glycans are neutral biantennary complex structures containing one or two terminal galactose residues. Complex N-glycans carrying N-acetyllactosamine repeats are minor components and are mostly sialylated. A significant signal corresponding to a high-mannose type chain appeared in the three glycan maps. MS/MS analysis confirmed its identity as a pentamannosyl N-glycan. By the combination of tryptic digestion of the endo-␤-galactosidasetreated ZP glycoprotein mixture and in-gel digestion of ZPA with lectin affinity chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC, five of six N-glycosylation sites at Asn 84/93 , Asn 268 , Asn 316 , Asn 323 , and Asn 530 were identified by MS. Only one site was found to be glycosylated in the N-terminal tryptic glycopeptide with Asn 84/93 . N-glycosidase F treatment of the isolated glycopeptides and MS analysis resulted in the identification of the corresponding deglycosylated peptides.