EVOLUTION OF GAMETE RECOGNITION PROTEINS

Although fertilization has been studied for more than a century, the c ell surface proteins mediating the process are only now becoming known . Gamete interaction in animals appears to be molecularly complex. Alt hough it is difficult to generalize at present, diversity of structure may be a recurring theme in the evolution of fertilization proteins. Examples of rapid evolution of fertilization proteins by positive sele ction are known, and concerted evolution call influence the differenti ation of gamete recognition proteins between closely related species.