Alteration of the cortical actin cytoskeleton deregulates Ca2+ signaling, monospermic fertilization, and sperm entry.

ABSTRACT:

Background

When preparing for fertilization, oocytes undergo meiotic maturation during which structural changes occur in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that lead to a more efficient calcium response. During meiotic maturation and subsequent fertilization, the actin cytoskeleton also undergoes dramatic restructuring. We have recently observed that rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton induced by actin-depolymerizing agents, or by actin-binding proteins, strongly modulate intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signals during the maturation process. However, the significance of the dynamic changes in F-actin within the fertilized egg has been largely unclear.

Methodology/principal findings

We have measured changes in intracellular Ca2+ signals and F-actin structures during fertilizati

SUBMITTER: Puppo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2570615 | biostudies-literature | 2008

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature