title: Ca2+ signaling during maturation of cumulus-oocyte complex in mammals.
abstract: Under the influence of gonadotropins or growth factors, a close cooperation develops between cumulus cells and the oocyte that is implicated in transmitting signals involved in maintaining or releasing the meiotic arrest in the oocyte. While cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) is a key molecule in maintaining the meiotic arrest, calcium (Ca(2+)) may play a role in controlling either spontaneous or gonadotropin-induced oocyte maturation, possibly by modulating intracytoplasmic cAMP concentrations via Ca(2+)-sensitive adenylate cyclases. This review focuses on the mechanisms related to the origin of the Ca(2+) wave that travels from the cumulus cells to the oocyte, and discusses the source of variations affecting the dynamics of this wave.
authors.affiliation: Animal Physiology and Evolution Laboratory, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy. fsilvestre@libero.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boni
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Fissore
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tosti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium