Flipping the switch: How a sperm activates the egg at fertilization

Parrington, John; Davis, Lianne C.; Galione, Antony; Wessel, Gary M.

doi:10.1002/dvdy.21255

Cited by 91 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 153 publications

(128 reference statements)

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“…Cite this article as Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2011;3:a006767 excellent recent reviews have addressed this topic in depth Parrington et al 2007;Horner and Wolfner 2008b) and therefore only the most salient and outstanding aspects of PLCz will be discussed here. As noted earlier, research in a variety of species including mammals showed that fertilization-associated [Ca 2þ ] i responses require the same agonists and signaling cascades that cause Ca 2þ release in somatic cells (Miyazaki et al 1993;Miyazaki and Ito 2006).…”

Section: Signaling During Mammalian Fertilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Generally speaking, species can be categorized either as displaying a single [Ca 2þ ] i increase, which is the case of sea urchins, starfish, frogs, and fish, or showing multiple [Ca 2þ ] i changes, also known as oscillations, which is the case of nemertian worms, ascidians, and mammals (Stricker 1999;Miyazaki and Ito 2006). Elucidation of the signaling cascades and identification of the molecules/receptor(s) that initiate the Ca 2þ signal at fertilization has proven elusive, and this review will not dwell on that literature; readers are referred to excellent recent reviews on the subject (Whitaker 2006;Parrington et al 2007). Nonetheless, research has found that Src-family kinases (SFKs) and phospholipase Cg (PLCg) are involved in the activation of the phosphoinositide pathway and production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ) during fertilization in sea urchins, starfish, and frogs, which reflects the contribution of a plasma membrane receptor/signaling complex (Giusti et al 1999;Sato et al 2000).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Ca2+ Signaling During Mammalian Fertilization: Requirements, Players, and Adaptations

Wakai¹,

Vanderheyden²,

Fissore³

2011

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology

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Changes in the intracellular concentration of calcium ([Ca 2þ ] i ) represent a vital signaling mechanism enabling communication among cells and between cells and the environment. The initiation of embryo development depends on a [Ca 2þ ] i increase(s) in the egg, which is generally induced during fertilization. The [Ca 2þ ] i increase signals egg activation, which is the first stage in embryo development, and that consist of biochemical and structural changes that transform eggs into zygotes. The spatiotemporal patterns of [Ca 2þ ] i at fertilization show variability, most likely reflecting adaptations to fertilizing conditions and to the duration of embryonic cell cycles. In mammals, the focus of this review, the fertilization [Ca 2þ ] i signal displays unique properties in that it is initiated after gamete fusion by release of a sperm-derived factor and by periodic and extended [Ca 2þ ] i responses. Here, we will discuss the events of egg activation regulated by increases in [Ca 2þ ] i , the possible downstream targets that effect these egg activation events, and the property and identity of molecules both in sperm and eggs that underpin the initiation and persistence of the [Ca 2þ ] i responses in these species.A n increase in the intracellular concentration of calcium ([Ca 2þ ] i ) underlies the initiation, progression and/or completion of a wide variety of cellular processes, including fertilization, muscle contraction, secretion, cell division, and apoptosis (Berridge et al. 2000). To survive and proliferate, cells and organisms must communicate, and changes in [Ca 2þ ] i allow them to quickly respond to environmental, nutritional, or ligand challenges with responses that regulate cell fate and function. Cells devote significant amounts of their energy reserves to create and maintain ionic gradients between extracellular and intracellular milieus and also within the latter, thereby allowing brief alterations in these gradients to have profound signaling effects. In the case of Ca 2þ , myriad proteins have acquired the ability to bind Ca 2þ , which allows them to interpret and transform these elevations into cellular functions. This review will examine the cellular modifications induced by [Ca 2þ ] i changes during fertilization in mature mammalian oocytes, henceforth referred to as eggs.Oocytes during maturation ready themselves for fertilization and the initiation of embryogenesis. During this transition, oocytes undergo changes that include the resumption and progression of meiosis, the development of polyspermy-preventing mechanisms, the reorganization of the cytoskeleton with spindle formation and displacement to the cortex, and the translation, accumulation, and degradation of specific mRNAs and proteins involved in development (Horner and Wolfner 2008b (Stricker 1999;Miyazaki and Ito 2006). Elucidation of the signaling cascades and identification of the molecules/receptor(s) that initiate the Ca 2þ signal at fertilization has proven elusive, and this review will not dwell on th...

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Section: Signaling During Mammalian Fertilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ca2+ Signaling During Mammalian Fertilization: Requirements, Players, and Adaptations

Wakai¹,

Vanderheyden²,

Fissore³

2011

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology

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“…This elevated Ca 2ϩ originates either from the external environment, from internal cellular stores, or from some combination of the two. The source of fertilization-induced Ca 2ϩ waves has been the subject of several excellent recent reviews (Swann et al, 2006;Townley et al, 2006;Parrington et al, 2007), so we only give a brief overview here.…”

Section: Triggers Of Egg Activation Spermmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transitioning from egg to embryo: Triggers and mechanisms of egg activation

Horner

Wolfner

2008

Developmental Dynamics

180

177

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The transition from mature oocyte to developing embryo requires a coordinated series of events, collectively known as egg activation. Egg activation includes changes to egg coverings to prevent polyspermy, release of oocyte meiotic arrest, generation of haploid female and male pronuclei, changes in maternal mRNAs and protein populations, and cytoskeletal rearrangements. In many animals, egg activation is triggered by fertilization, which increases intracellular calcium within the oocyte and thereby regulates molecular events of egg activation. In other animals, fertilization-independent external signals, including mechanical stimulation of eggs and/or changes in ionic milieu, trigger activation. Recent studies have clarified the upstream portion of pathways leading to eggshell changes and cell cycle resumption and have identified activation-induced changes in maternal mRNA and protein profiles that can identify molecular players in the downstream events of egg activation. We review signals that trigger activation and how they link to subsequent molecular events of egg activation. Developmental Dynamics 237:527-544, 2008.

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“…Studies show that the initiation of the fertilization calcium wave in verterbrates can generally be best explained by a diffusion of a GENERAL INTRODUCTION 24 sperm-specific activating substance released into the oocyte after gamete fusion (Swann et al, 2006;Parrington et al, 2007;Saunders et al, 2007;Whitaker, 2006). This sperm factor corresponds to a spermspecific phospholipase C (PLC) called PLCζ (Swann and Lai, 2013;Ito et al, 2011) (Fig 6).…”

Section: Fertilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After fertilization, the egg is activated and initiates its developmental program, and the haploid nuclei of the two gametes fuse to form the genome of a new diploid organism. A centrally important factor in initiating egg activation at fertilization is a rise in free Ca 2+ in echinoderms, ascidians, and vertebrate eggs (reviewed by Runft et al, 2002).Studies show that the initiation of the fertilization calcium wave in verterbrates can generally be best explained by a diffusion of a GENERAL INTRODUCTION 24 sperm-specific activating substance released into the oocyte after gamete fusion (Swann et al, 2006;Parrington et al, 2007;Saunders et al, 2007;Whitaker, 2006). This sperm factor corresponds to a spermspecific phospholipase C (PLC) called PLCζ (Swann and Lai, 2013;Ito et al, 2011) (Fig 6).…”

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confidence: 99%

Molecular approaches related to the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) reproductive process

Morini¹

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSEn primer lugar quiero dar las gracias a Johnny por haberme dado la oportunidad de realizar este doctorado. Muchas gracias por la ayuda y los buenos consejos prestados. Agradezco mucho tu comprensión y empatía cada vez que he estado malita.Gracias también a Luz, por tu buen humor y tu gran simpatía. Me has hecho sentir muy cómoda desde el principio y además me has convertido en fanática gatuna.David, muchas gracias por haber confiado en mi desde el principio, darme libertad en la realización de los experimentos y haber resuelto todas las dudas que iban surgiendo.Por otra parte quería dedicar un párrafo muy especial a mis primeros amigos españoles, mis preferidos y que a la vez eran mis compañeros de trabajo.Como podéis imaginar siempre es difícil llegar a otro país, lejos de la familia, de los amigos de la infancia y sin hablar el idioma. Vosotros me lo habéis hecho todo más fácil. He aprendido mucho a vuestro lado y he evolucionado mucho gracias a vosotros, de ser sepia (gracias Vic) a casi valenciana con acento francés. Me lo he pasado fenomenal entre las cervecitas del viernes, las excursiones del sábado, las inumerables comidas y cenas, nocheviejas, etc… Rosa, nunca olvidaré nuestra primera salida "Alcampo", tu cara mirándome fijamente mientras cojeabas y sonaba la música de tu móvil!!! Toda una historia… Y en nochevieja, que bien me lo pasé con mi compañera de cubatas y de "baño que pincha", mis vaqueros aún se acuerdan de aquella noche!! Pablo, mi traductor oficial de los Mojinos!! A ver si podemos ir a otro concierto pronto! Y volver a comer crêpes en Paris! Cara-crêpes! Vic, nada más volver de Japón me iniciaste a tu pasión… los pajaritos!! Las orejas de cerdo vinieron mucho más tarde ;-) Me descubriste este mundo y ahora veo los pajaritos con otro ojo (y otra oreja). Tú crees que otro petirrojo nos dará un concierto privado como el de Cazorla??Mamen, no sé ni por dónde empezar… Nunca olvidaré todo lo que has hecho por mí. Recuerdo al principio cuando casi sin conocernos me invitaste a tu cumpleaños junto a toda tu familia!. He disfrutado mucho todos los momentos que hemos pasado juntas estos años (entre las anguilas, el laboratorio, las vacaciones, las fallas, las nocheviejas, los fin des, paseos con bolt, cenas improvisadas...) Creo que he pasado más tiempo contigo que con Richard. Gracias por todo!!! También quiero dar las gracias a una gran cocinera y amiga, llamada Aquagamete, o Pepa, para los íntimos! Me han encantado nuestras comiditas y me ha ayudado mucho tenerte aquí. Además, gracias a ti he podido probar y disfrutar el mejor jamón del mundo! No olvido a los 2 últimos fichados: los vecinos alborayenses Chris y German. Continuaremos disfrutando de nuestras cervecitas y horchatitas después de una partida de volley-playa.Gracias al grupo de nutrición, Miguel, Ana, Silvia, Raquel, Sergio… con mención especial a Guillem por tu ayuda y tu valenciano perfecto (yo tenía complicado el resum en valenciá); y a Nacho, por tu ayuda con la portada y tu paciencia durante el final de mi tesis, ...

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Flipping the switch: How a sperm activates the egg at fertilization

Cited by 91 publications

References 153 publications

Ca2+ Signaling During Mammalian Fertilization: Requirements, Players, and Adaptations

Ca2+ Signaling During Mammalian Fertilization: Requirements, Players, and Adaptations

Transitioning from egg to embryo: Triggers and mechanisms of egg activation

Molecular approaches related to the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) reproductive process

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