PLC and IP₃-evoked Ca²⁺ release initiate the fast block to polyspermy in Xenopus laevis eggs.

ABSTRACT: The prevention of polyspermy is essential for the successful progression of normal embryonic development in most sexually reproducing species. In external fertilizers, the process of fertilization induces a depolarization of the egg's membrane within seconds, which inhibits supernumerary sperm from entering an already-fertilized egg. This fast block requires an increase of intracellular Ca²⁺ in the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, which in turn activates an efflux of Cl^- that depolarizes the cell. Here we seek to identify the source of this intracellular Ca²⁺ Using electrophysiology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, and developmental biology, we explore the requirement for both Ca²⁺ entry into the egg from the extracellular milieu and Ca<

SUBMITTER: Wozniak KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6122927 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature