title: Calcium signaling differentiation during Xenopus oocyte maturation.
abstract: Ca(2+) is the universal signal for egg activation at fertilization in all sexually reproducing species. The Ca(2+) signal at fertilization is necessary for egg activation and exhibits specialized spatial and temporal dynamics. Eggs acquire the ability to produce the fertilization-specific Ca(2+) signal during oocyte maturation. However, the mechanisms regulating Ca(2+) signaling differentiation during oocyte maturation remain largely unknown. At fertilization, Xenopus eggs produce a cytoplasmic Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)(cyt)) rise that lasts for several minutes, and is required for egg activation. Here, we show that during oocyte maturation Ca(2+) transport effectors are tightly modulated. The plasma membrane Ca(2+) ATPase (PMCA) is completely internalized during maturation, and is therefore unable to extrude Ca(2+) out of the cell. Furthermore, IP(3)-dependent Ca(2+) release is required for the sustained Ca(2+)(cyt) rise in eggs, showing that Ca(2+) that is pumped into the ER leaks back out through IP(3) receptors. This apparent futile cycle allows eggs to maintain elevated cytoplasmic Ca(2+) despite the limited available Ca(2+) in intracellular stores. Therefore, Ca(2+) signaling differentiates in a highly orchestrated fashion during Xenopus oocyte maturation endowing the egg with the capacity to produce a sustained Ca(2+)(cyt) transient at fertilization, which defines the egg's competence to activate and initiate embryonic development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham St. Slot 505, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Wassim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: El-Jouni
authors.forename: Byungwoo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haun
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Machaca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000378:metabolism; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004705:Endocytosis; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D017136:Ion Transport; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D053499:Plasma Membrane Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D053498:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D014981:Xenopus / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; D053499:Plasma Membrane Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D053498:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases