The characteristics of the Ca2+ signals that activate mammalian eggs at fertilization

Swann, Karl ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4355-1449 2024. The characteristics of the Ca2+ signals that activate mammalian eggs at fertilization. Current Topics in Developmental Biology 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.12.002 Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Gamete membrane fusion in mammals brings the paternal genome into the cytoplasm of the egg. It also enables signals to pass from the sperm into the egg to trigger the completion of meiosis and the start of embryo development. The essential signal to activate development in all mammals studied, consists of a series of transient increases in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration driven by cycles of InsP3 production. This review focusses on the characteristics of these sperm-induced Ca2+ signals. I consider how some specific features of sperm-derived phospholipase C-zeta (PLCζ), along with the known properties of the type 1 InsP3 receptor, provide a basis for understanding the mechanisms of the dynamic changes in Ca2+ observed in fertilizing eggs. I describe how the PLCζ targeting of cytoplasmic vesicles in the egg cytoplasm, that contain PI(4,5)P2, is necessary to explain the rapid waves associated with the rising phase of each Ca2+ transient. I also discuss the importance of the repetitive Ca2+ rises for egg activation and the way mitochondrial ATP production may modulate Ca2+ release in eggs. Finally, I consider the role that a sperm-induced ATP increase may play in the egg activation process.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Biosciences
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0070-2153
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 January 2025
Date of Acceptance:	27 November 2024
Last Modified:	30 Jan 2025 10:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/175043

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