Calcium signaling in mammalian egg activation and embryo development: the influence of subcellular localization.
Calcium (Ca(2+) ) signals drive the fundamental events surrounding fertilization and the activation of development in all species examined to date. Initial studies of Ca(2+) signaling at fertilization in marine animals were tightly linked to new discoveries of bioluminescent proteins and their use as fluorescent Ca(2+) sensors. Since that time, there has been rapid progress in our understanding of the key functions for Ca(2+) in many cell types and of the impact of cellular localization on Ca(2+) signaling pathways. In this review, which focuses on mammalian egg activation, we consider how Ca(2+) is regulated and stored at different stages of oocyte development and examine the functions of molecules that serve as both regulators of Ca(2+) release and effectors of Ca(2+) signals. We then summarize studies exploring how Ca(2+) directs downstream effectors mediating both egg activation and later signaling events required for successful preimplantation embryo development. Throughout this review, we focus attention on how localization of Ca(2+) signals influences downstream signaling events, and attempt to highlight gaps in our knowledge that are ripe for future research.
Reproductive Medicine Group, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA.
Yi-Liang
YL
Miao
Carmen J
CJ
Williams
D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D047108:Embryonic Development; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D008322:Mammals / Q000196:embryology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010063:Ovum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D000071738:Stromal Interaction Molecule 2
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C525024:Stim2 protein, mouse; D000071738:Stromal Interaction Molecule 2