Title
Regulating the acrosome reaction
PubMed ID
18649263
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Cell Biology
Date
7-24-2008
Document Type
Article
Subjects
*Acrosome Reaction; Animals; Calcium; Calcium Channels; Egg Proteins; Exocytosis; Female; Glycoproteins; Humans; Male; Membrane Glycoproteins; Mice; Models, Biological; Receptors, Cell Surface; Signal Transduction; Spermatozoa; Zona Pellucida
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
The acrosome reaction is a secretory event that must be completed by the sperm of many animal species prior to fusion with eggs. In mammals, exocytosis in triggered by ZP3, a glycoprotein component of the egg pellucida, following gamete contact. ZP3 promotes a sustained influx of Ca2+ into sperm that is necessary for the acrosome reaction. Here, we discuss the mechanism by which ZP3 generates Ca2+ entry, as well as the upstream events leading to this influx and downstream processes that couple it with exocytosis.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Int J Dev Biol. 2008;52(5-6):503-10. Link to article on publisher's site
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