Guanine nucleotides in the meiotic maturation of starfish oocytes: regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and of Ca(2+) signaling.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Starfish oocytes are arrested at the first prophase of meiosis until they are stimulated by 1-methyladenine (1-MA). The two most immediate responses to the maturation-inducing hormone are the quick release of intracellular Ca(2+) and the accelerated changes of the actin cytoskeleton in the cortex. Compared with the later events of oocyte maturation such as germinal vesicle breakdown, the molecular mechanisms underlying the early events involving Ca(2+) signaling and actin changes are poorly understood. Herein, we have studied the roles of G-proteins in the early stage of meiotic maturation.

Methodology/principal findings

By microinjecting starfish oocytes with nonhydrolyzable nucleotides that stabilize either active (GTPgammaS) or inactive (GDPbetaS) forms of G-pr

SUBMITTER: Kyozuka K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2706993 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature