Thirty years of calcium signals at fertilization.
It was discovered about 30 years ago that a dramatic increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) occurs at fertilization and that this increase acts as the pivotal signal for egg activation. Later, the Ca(2+) signal at fertilization turned out to be ubiquitous among animal species. Extensive advance has been brought during these 30 years in research on spatiotemporal aspects and signaling mechanisms of the [Ca(2+)](i) increase, sperm factors that induce the Ca(2+) response, and cell cycle resumption caused by the [Ca(2+)](i) rise. I provide a historical account of these advances in mammals, sea urchins, and a few other models.
Department of Physiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan. shunm@research.twmu.ac.jp
Shunichi
S
Miyazaki
D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D004626:Embryology / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions