Sperm-oocyte contact induces outside-in signaling via PYK2 activation

Developmental Biology
Huizhen WangWilliam H Kinsey

Abstract

Fertilization is a multi-step process that begins with plasma membrane interactions that enable sperm - oocyte binding followed by fusion of the sperm and oocyte plasma membranes. Once membrane fusion has occurred, sperm incorporation involves actin remodeling events within the oocyte cortex that allow the sperm head to penetrate the cortical actin layer and gain access to the ooplasm. Despite the significance for reproduction, the control mechanisms involved in gamete binding, fusion, and sperm incorporation are poorly understood. While it is known that proline - rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2 or PTK2b) kinase activity plays an important role in fertilization, its specific function has not been addressed. The present study made use of a zona-free mouse oocyte fertilization assay to investigate the relationship between PYK2 activity and sperm - oocyte binding and fusion, as well as localized changes in actin polymerization and sperm incorporation. In this assay, the majority of bound sperm had no apparent effect on the oocyte and only a few became incorporated into the ooplasm. However, a subset of bound sperm were associated with a localized response in which PYK2 was recruited to the oocyte cortex where it frequently co-localiz...Continue Reading

Citations

Nov 10, 2018·Molecular Reproduction and Development·John ParringtonRafael A Fissore
Mar 29, 2020·Molecular Reproduction and Development·Janice P Evans
Jul 22, 2021·Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology·Victoria E Deneke, Andrea Pauli

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