title: G-proteins and egg activation.
abstract: G-proteins are present in eggs, and experiments in which GTP-gamma-S, GDP-beta-S, cholera toxin and pertussis toxin have been injected into eggs have indicated the involvement of G-proteins in egg activation at fertilization and in oocyte maturation. Eggs into which serotonin or muscarinic acetylcholine receptors have been introduced by mRNA injection produce fertilization-like responses when exposed to serotonin or acetylcholine; since these neurotransmitter receptors act by way of G-proteins, this observation further supports the conclusion that a G-protein is involved in the fertilization process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06032.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Jaffe
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kline
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Kado
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shilling
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012617:Sea Urchins; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins