title: Subcellular localization of calcium and Ca-ATPase activity during nuclear maturation in Bufo arenarum oocytes.
abstract: The localization of calcium and Ca-ATPase activity in Bufo arenarum oocytes was investigated by ultracytochemical techniques during progesterone-induced nuclear maturation, under in vitro conditions. No Ca2+ deposits were detected in either control oocytes or progesterone-treated ones for 1-2 h. At the time when nuclear migration started, electron dense deposits of Ca2+ were visible in vesicles, endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and in the space between the annulate lamellae membranes. Furthermore, Ca-ATPase activity was also detected in these membrane structures. As maturation progressed, the cation deposits were observed in the cytomembrane structures, which underwent an important reorganization and redistribution. Thus, they moved from the subcortex and became located predominantly in the oocyte cortex area when nuclear maturation ended. Ca2+ stores were observed in vesicles surrounding or between the cortical granules, which are aligned close to the plasma membrane. The positive Ca-ATPase reaction in these membrane structures could indicate that the calcium deposit is an ATP-dependent process. Our results suggest that during oocyte maturation calcium would be stored in membrane structures where it remains available for release at the time of fertilization. Data obtained under our experimental conditions indicate that calcium from the extracellular medium would be important for the oocyte maturation process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Biology, National Council for Scientific and Technical Research, National University of Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.
authors.forename: Inés
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Susana B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cisint
authors.forename: Claudia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Crespo
authors.forename: Marcela F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Silvia N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Fernández
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002022:Bufo arenarum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D002118:Calcium