A novel signalling mechanism for generating Ca2+ oscillations at fertilization in mammals

BioEssays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
K Swann, F A Lai

Abstract

At fertilization in mammals the sperm activates the egg by triggering a series of oscillations in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration. The precise sequence of events that occur between sperm-egg contact and the increases in intracellular Ca2+ remains unknown. Here, we discuss recent evidence supporting the hypothesis that a cytosolic sperm protein enters the egg after gamete membrane fusion and triggers Ca2+ oscillations from within the egg cytoplasm. Biochemical studies suggest that there exists a novel sperm protein, named oscillin, that specifically comigrates with Ca2+ oscillation-inducing activity. Oscillin has been immunolocalised to the region of the sperm that first fuses with the egg. The concept of a specific protein that triggers Ca2+ oscillations may have wider physiological significance since sperm oscillin can induce Ca2+ oscillations in somatic cells, such as neurons and hepatocytes. Unravelling the novel signalling system involved in mammalian fertilization may help reveal some fundamental molecular mechanisms responsible for triggering cytoplasmic Ca2+ oscillations.

References

Dec 1, 1992·Biology of Reproduction·R A FissoreJ M Robl
Nov 1, 1991·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·L F Jaffe
Mar 1, 1990·Molecular Reproduction and Development·S L Stice, J M Robl
Sep 1, 1988·Pflügers Archiv : European journal of physiology·A I McNivenC R House
Sep 1, 1995·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·M MaleszewskiR Yanagimachi
Jan 1, 1995·Current Topics in Developmental Biology·R M Schultz, G S Kopf
May 1, 1995·Molecular Reproduction and Development·A Bos-MikichD G Whittingham
Mar 1, 1995·The Journal of Physiology·J P Ozil, K Swann
Dec 1, 1994·Developmental Biology·R A Fissore, J M Robl
Oct 1, 1994·Cell Calcium·E Roche, M Prentki
Nov 1, 1993·Zygote : the Biology of Gametes and Early Embryos·K Swann
Nov 1, 1993·Zygote : the Biology of Gametes and Early Embryos·K R Foltz, F M Shilling
Apr 1, 1994·Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology·A Van Steirteghem
Jan 1, 1994·International Review of Cytology·K Swann, J P Ozil
Jan 28, 1993·Nature·M J Berridge
Jan 1, 1995·International Review of Cytology·K R Foltz

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 2, 2000·BioEssays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology·S E Webb, A L Miller
Jun 22, 2000·Molecular Reproduction and Development·P Amireault, F Dubé
Oct 3, 2000·Molecular Reproduction and Development·Z MachátyR S Prather
Sep 23, 1997·BioEssays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology·L F Jaffe
Sep 16, 2000·Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology·S HeyersM Montag
Nov 24, 1999·Trends in Plant Science·D L KropfW E Hable
Jul 12, 2008·Zygote : the Biology of Gametes and Early Embryos·F BonillaM I Bühler
Oct 13, 2005·Cloning·H KishikawaR Yanagimachi
Mar 29, 2011·Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology·Takuya WakaiRafael A Fissore
Dec 3, 2011·The Journal of Reproduction and Development·Huen Suk KimWoo Suk Hwang
Feb 19, 2000·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·J B DongF Z Sun
Sep 11, 2001·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·S T LiF Z Sun
Dec 1, 1998·The Journal of Physiology·Z CseresnyésM F Schneider
Jan 22, 2008·Fertility and Sterility·Mohammad H Nasr-EsfahaniMarzeyeh Tavalaee
Jun 23, 2007·Fertility and Sterility·Mohammad H Nasr-EsfahaniMarzeyeh Tavalaee
Feb 15, 2005·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·Qi-Cai LiuFang-Zhen Sun
Apr 30, 2002·Developmental Biology·Linda L RunftLisa M Mehlmann
Dec 17, 1997·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·W H Kinsey
Sep 24, 1999·Developmental Biology·K W LeeA L Miller
Oct 27, 2007·Developmental Biology·Hideki IgarashiCarmen J Williams
Feb 13, 2001·Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology·J Carroll
May 14, 2016·Animal Science Journal = Nihon Chikusan Gakkaihō·Tayita SuttirojpattanaMasaya Geshi
Jun 21, 2016·Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology·Julie A BrillLacramioara Fabian
Dec 22, 1998·Biology of Reproduction·R A FissoreT Ducibella

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Calcium & Bioenergetics

Bioenergetic processes, including cellular respiration and photosynthesis, concern the transformation of energy by cells. Here is the latest research on the role of calcium in bioenergetics.