Using the mouse egg as a model system for the study of intracellular calcium signaling mechanisms

TL;DRAbstract

Mouse metaphase II (MII)-stage eggs exhibit oscillatory Ca2+ responses ([Ca2+]i oscillations) following fertilization. The wealth of information regarding Ca2+ signaling pathways in eggs has allowed these cells to become an ideal model system for the study of general Ca2+ signaling pathways. This dissertation provides data that contribute to the elucidation of the mechanism that culminates in Ca2+ release at fertilization, and to our understanding of the functional regulation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP 3R) using the mouse egg as a model system. We first present data indicating that injection of mouse eggs with porcine sperm factor (SF) induces [Ca2+]i oscillations through activation of a phospholipase C (PLC). U73122, a PLC inhibitor, prevented SF-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations whether SF or eggs were treated with the inhibitor. We also show that SF injection elicits inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) production and Ca2+ release in single Xenopus oocytes. Thus, SF i

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