Potential involvement of post-translational modifications as a mechanism modulating selective proteolysis after fertilization

The role of proteolysis during fertilization has been investigated only to a very limited extent as compared with its role on the control of cell cycl e progression. In this report, we discuss briefly the proteases involved in fertilization their relevance in the egg-sperm interaction and in the chro matin remodeling that occurs before the reestablishment of the diploid cond ition of the zygote. We further emphasize how the post-translational modifi cations of target proteins modulate these proteolytic events. (C) 1999 Wile y-Liss, Inc.