Calcium mobilization by dual receptors during fertilization of sea urchin eggs

Hon Cheung Lee, Robert Aarhus, Timothy F. Walseth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

284 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fertilization is accompanied by a transient increase in the concentration of intracellular Ca2+, which serves as a signal for initiating development. Some of the Ca2+ appears to be released from intracellular stores by the binding of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) to its receptor. However, in sea urchin eggs, other mechanisms appear to participate. Cyclic adenosine diphosphate-ribose (cADPR), a naturally occurring metabolite of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is as potent as IP3 in mobilizing Ca2+ in sea urchin eggs. Experiments with antagonists of the cADPR and IP3 receptors revealed that both Ca2+ mobilizing systems were activated during fertilization. Blockage of either of the systems alone was not sufficient to prevent the sperm-induced Ca 2+ transient. This study provides direct evidence for a physiological role of cADPR in the Ca2+ signaling process.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)352-355
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume261
Issue number5119
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Calcium mobilization by dual receptors during fertilization of sea urchin eggs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this