Calcium mobilization by dual receptors during fertilization of sea urchin eggs

Science. 1993 Jul 16;261(5119):352-5. doi: 10.1126/science.8392749.

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 Ca2+ transient. This study provides direct evidence for a physiological role of cADPR in the Ca2+ signaling process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channels*
  • Cyclic ADP-Ribose
  • Cyclic AMP / analogs & derivatives
  • Cyclic AMP / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Fertilization*
  • Heparin / pharmacology
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / pharmacology
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors
  • Ovum / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear*
  • Sea Urchins
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • cyclic ADP-ribose receptor
  • Cyclic ADP-Ribose
  • 8-aminoadenosine cyclic 3',5'-(hydrogen phosphate) 5'-ribofuranosyl ester
  • Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate
  • Heparin
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Calcium