A cytosolic sperm factor stimulates repetitive calcium increases and mimics fertilization in hamster eggs

Development ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 1295-1302 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Swann
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Phorbol Esters ◽  
Free Calcium ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Protein Factor ◽  
G Protein Signalling ◽  
Sperm Factor ◽  
Calcium Induced Calcium Release

Microinjection of cytosolic sperm extracts into unfertilized golden hamster eggs caused a series of increases in cytoplasmic free calcium, Ca2+i, and membrane hyperpolarizing responses, HRs. These HRs and Ca2+i transients are similar to those seen during in vitro fertilization of hamster eggs. The sperm factor that is responsible for causing these effects appears to be of high molecular weight and protein based. Injection of sperm factor activated eggs and mimicked fertilization in causing repetitive HRs in the presence of phorbol esters and in sensitizing the egg to calcium-induced calcium release. Since these effects cannot be mimicked by injecting G-protein agonists or calcium-containing solutions, it seems unlikely that a receptor-G-protein signalling system is involved at fertilization. These data instead suggest a novel signal transduction system operates during mammalian fertilization in which a protein factor is transferred from the sperm into the egg cytoplasm after gamete membrane fusion.

N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-based generation of mouse models for mutant G protein-coupled receptors

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Grosse ◽  
Patrick Tarnow ◽  
Holger Römpler ◽  
Boris Schneider ◽  
Reinhard Sedlmeier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Random Mutagenesis ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Type 3 ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Chemical random mutagenesis techniques with the germ line supermutagen N-ethyl- N-nitrosourea (ENU) have been established to provide comprehensive collections of mouse models, which were then mined and analyzed in phenotype-driven studies. Here, we applied ENU mutagenesis in a high-throughput fashion for a gene-driven identification of new mutations. Selected members of the large superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), melanocortin type 3 (Mc3r) and type 4 (Mc4r) receptors, and the orphan chemoattractant receptor GPR33, were used as model targets to prove the feasibility of this approach. Parallel archives of DNA and sperm from mice mutagenized with ENU were screened for mutations in these GPCR, and in vitro assays served as a preselection step before in vitro fertilization was performed to generate the appropriate mouse model. For example, mouse models for inherited obesity were established by selecting fully or partially inactivating mutations in Mc4r. Our technology described herein has the potential to provide mouse models for a GPCR dysfunction of choice within <4 mo and can be extended to other gene classes of interest.

The sperm phospholipase C-ζ and Ca2+ signalling at fertilization in mammals

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 267-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Swann ◽  
F. Anthony Lai
Keyword(s):  
Phospholipase C ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Egg Activation ◽  
Stable Form ◽  
Ph Domain ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Sperm Factor ◽  
Internal Sources

A series of intracellular oscillations in the free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration is responsible for activating mammalian eggs at fertilization, thus initiating embryo development. It has been proposed that the sperm causes these Ca2+ oscillations after membrane fusion by delivering a soluble protein into the egg cytoplasm. We previously identified sperm-specific phospholipase C (PLC)-ζ as a protein that can trigger the same pattern of Ca2+ oscillations in eggs seen at fertilization. PLCζ appears to be the elusive sperm factor mediating egg activation in mammals. It has potential therapeutic use in infertility treatments to improve the rate of egg activation and early embryo development after intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection. A stable form of recombinant human PLCζ could be a prototype for use in such in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. We do not yet understand exactly how PLCζ causes inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) production in eggs. Sperm PLCζ is distinct among mammalian PI-specific PLCs in that it is far more potent in triggering Ca2+ oscillations in eggs than other PLCs, but it lacks a PH domain that would otherwise be considered essential for binding to the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) substrate. PLCζ is also unusual in that it does not appear to interact with or hydrolyse plasma membrane PIP2. We consider how other regions of PLCζ may mediate its binding to PIP2 in eggs and how interaction of PLCζ with egg-specific factors could enable the hydrolysis of internal sources of PIP2.

scholarly journals Multiple Modes of Calcium-Induced Calcium Release in Sympathetic Neurons II

2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarin Hongpaisan ◽  
Natalia B. Pivovarova ◽  
Stephen L. Colegrove ◽  
Richard D. Leapman ◽  
David D. Friel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Release ◽  
Sympathetic Neurons ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Free Calcium ◽  
Multiple Modes ◽  
Mitochondrial Regulation ◽  
Calcium Induced Calcium Release ◽  
Electron Energy Loss ◽  
Net Release

CICR from an intracellular store, here directly characterized as the ER, usually refers to net Ca2+ release that amplifies evoked elevations in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i). However, the companion paper (Albrecht, M.A., S.L. Colegrove, J. Hongpaisan, N.B. Pivovarova, S.B. Andrews, and D.D. Friel. 2001. J. Gen. Physiol. 118:83–100) shows that in sympathetic neurons, small [Ca2+]i elevations evoked by weak depolarization stimulate ER Ca accumulation, but at a rate attenuated by activation of a ryanodine-sensitive CICR pathway. Here, we have measured depolarization-evoked changes in total ER Ca concentration ([Ca]ER) as a function of [Ca2+]i, and found that progressively larger [Ca2+]i elevations cause a graded transition from ER Ca accumulation to net release, consistent with the expression of multiple modes of CICR. [Ca]ER is relatively high at rest (12.8 ± 0.9 mmol/kg dry weight, mean ± SEM) and is reduced by thapsigargin or ryanodine (5.5 ± 0.7 and 4.7 ± 1.1 mmol/kg, respectively). [Ca]ER rises during weak depolarization (to 17.0 ± 1.6 mmol/kg over 120s, [Ca2+]i less than ∼350 nM), changes little in response to stronger depolarization (12.1 ± 1.1 mmol/kg, [Ca2+]i ∼700 nM), and declines (to 6.5 ± 1.0 mmol/kg) with larger [Ca2+]i elevations (&gt;1 μM) evoked by the same depolarization when mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake is inhibited (FCCP). Thus, net ER Ca2+ transport exhibits a biphasic dependence on [Ca2+]i. With mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake enabled, [Ca]ER rises after repolarization (to 16.6 ± 1.8 mmol/kg at 15 min) as [Ca2+]i falls within the permissive range for ER Ca accumulation over a period lengthened by mitochondrial Ca2+ release. Finally, although spatially averaged [Ca]ER is unchanged during strong depolarization, net ER Ca2+ release still occurs, but only in the outermost ∼5-μm cytoplasmic shell where [Ca2+]i should reach its highest levels. Since mitochondrial Ca accumulation occurs preferentially in peripheral cytoplasm, as demonstrated here by electron energy loss Ca maps, the Ca content of ER and mitochondria exhibit reciprocal dependencies on proximity to sites of Ca2+ entry, possibly reflecting indirect mitochondrial regulation of ER Ca2+ transport.

scholarly journals RGS14 is a novel Rap effector that preferentially regulates the GTPase activity of Gαo

2000 ◽  
Vol 350 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine TRAVER ◽  
Carole BIDOT ◽  
Nathalie SPASSKY ◽  
Tania BALTAUSS ◽  
Marie-France DE TAND ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Rgs Proteins ◽  
Gtpase Activity ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
G Protein Signalling ◽  
Marked Preference

In an attempt to elucidate the physiological function(s) of the Ras-related Rap proteins, we used the yeast two-hybrid system and isolated a cDNA encoding a protein that interacts with both Rap1 and Rap2, but not with Ras; the use of Rap2 mutants showed that this interaction is characteristic of a potential Rap effector. This protein was identified as RGS14, a member of the recently discovered family of RGS (‘regulators of G-protein signalling’) proteins that stimulate the GTPase activity of the GTP-binding α subunit of heterotrimeric G-proteins (Gα). Deletion analysis, as well as in vitro binding experiments, revealed that RGS14 binds Rap proteins through a domain distinct from that carrying the RGS identity, and that this domain shares sequence identity with the Ras/Rap binding domain of B-Raf and Raf-1 kinases. RGS14 is distinguished from other RGS proteins by its marked preference for Gαo over other Gα subunits: RGS14 binds preferentially to Gαo in isolated brain membranes, and also interacts preferentially with Gαo (as compared with Gαi1) to stimulate its GTPase activity. In adult mice, RGS14 expression is restricted to spleen and brain. In situ hybridization studies showed that it is highly expressed only in certain areas of mouse brain (such as the CA1 and CA2 regions of the hippocampus), and that this pattern closely resembles that of Rap2, but not Rap1, expression. Double in situ hybridization experiments revealed that certain cells in the hippocampus express both RGS14 and Gαo, as well as both RGS14 and Rap2, showing that the interaction of RGS14 with Gαo and Rap2 is physiologically possible. Taken together, these results suggest that RGS14 could constitute a bridging molecule that allows cross-regulation of signalling pathways downstream from G-protein-coupled receptors involving heterotrimeric proteins of the Gi/o family and those involving the Ras-related GTPase Rap2.

Knockdown of regulator of G-protein signalling 2 (Rgs2) leads to abnormal early mouse embryo development in vitro

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Zhu ◽  
Ya-Hong Jiang ◽  
Ya-Ping He ◽  
Xuan Zhang ◽  
Zhao-Gui Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
G Protein Signalling ◽  
Early Embryos ◽  
Development In Vitro

Regulator of G-protein signalling 2 (Rgs2) is involved in G-protein-mediated signalling by negatively regulating the activity of the G-protein α-subunit. In the present study, the expression patterns of Rgs2 in mouse ovarian tissues and early embryos were determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent analyses. Rgs2 expression was observed in the ovarian tissues of adult female mice, with an almost equal expression levels during different stages of the oestrous cycle. Rgs2 was abundant in the cytoplasm, membrane, nuclei and spindles of intact polar bodies in mouse early embryos at different developmental stages from the zygote to blastocyst. The effect of Rgs2 knockdown on early embryonic development in vitro was examined by microinjecting Rgs2-specific short interfering (si) RNAs into mouse zygotes. Knockdown of endogenous Rgs2 expression led to abnormal embryonic development in vitro, with a considerable number of early embryos arrested at the 2- or 4-cell stage. Moreover, mRNA expression of three zygotic gene activation-related genes (i.e. Zscan4, Tcstv1 and MuERV-L) was decreased significantly in 2-cell arrested embryos. These results suggest that Rgs2 plays a critical role in early embryo development.

scholarly journals Thimerosal reveals calcium-induced calcium release in unfertilised sea urchin eggs

Zygote ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex McDougall ◽  
Isabelle Gillot ◽  
Michael Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Calcium Influx ◽  
Calcium Transient ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Egg Activation ◽  
Free Calcium ◽  
Slow Increase ◽  
Sea Urchin Eggs ◽  
Calcium Induced Calcium Release

SummaryThe fertilisation calcium wave in sea urchin eggs triggers the onset of development. The wave is an explosive increase in intracellular free calcium concentration that begins at the point of sperm entry and crosses the egg in about 20 s. Thimerosal is a sulphydryl reagent that sensitises calcium release from intracellular stores in a variety of cell types. Treatment of unfertilised eggs with thimerosal causes a slow increase that results eventually in a large, spontaneous calcium transient and egg activation. At shorter times after thimerosal treatment, egg activation and the calcium transient can be triggered by calcium influx through voltage-gated calcium channels, a form of calcium-induced/calcium release (CICR). Thimerosal treatment also reduces the latency of the fertilisation calcium response and increases the velocity of the fertilisation wave. These results indicate that thimerosal can unmask CICR in sea urchin eggs and suggest that the ryanodine receptor channel based CICR may contribute to explosive calcium release during the fertilisation wave.

Ectocellular in vitro and in vivo metabolism of cADP-ribose in cerebellum

1996 ◽  
Vol 320 (2) ◽  
pp. 665-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio DE FLORA ◽  
Lucrezia GUIDA ◽  
Luisa FRANCO ◽  
Elena ZOCCHI ◽  
Mario PESTARINO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Calcium ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Cerebellar Granule Cells ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Transmembrane Glycoprotein ◽  
Adp Ribosyl Cyclase ◽  
Calcium Induced Calcium Release

CD38, a type II transmembrane glycoprotein predominantly expressed in blood cells, is a bifunctional ectoenzyme directly involved in the metabolism of cADP-ribose (cADPR). This is a potent Ca2+ mobilizer in several types of cells. The relationship between the ectocellular site of cADPR production and its intracellular calcium-related functions is poorly understood. Cultured rat cerebellar granule cells showed both enzymic activities of CD38, ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase, at a ratio of 16 to 1 respectively, and were immunostained by the anti-(human CD38) monoclonal antibody IB4. In these cells externally added cADPR and β-NAD+ (the precursor of cADPR), but not α-NAD+ or ADP-ribose, enhanced the peak of the depolarization-induced rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. This effect was inhibited by 1 µM ryanodine, suggesting a potentiation of calcium-induced calcium release by cADPR. CD38 ectoenzyme activities, ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase, were also demonstrated in vivo by microdialysis of adult rat cerebellum, where IB4 bound to granule neurons selectively. Trace amounts (11.5±3.8 nM) of NAD+ were detected by microdialysis sampling and sensitive assays in the basal interstitial fluid of the cerebellum. These results provide a link between ectocellular cADPR turnover and intracellular calcium mobilization in cerebellum.

scholarly journals Defective calcium release during in vitro fertilization of maturing oocytes of LT/Sv mice

2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 903-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Archacka ◽  
Anna Ajduk ◽  
Pawel Pomorski ◽  
Katarzyna Szczepanska ◽  
Marek Maleszewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Vitro Fertilization
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