title: The Acrosome Reaction: A Historical Perspective.
abstract: Acrosome reaction is often referred to as acrosomal exocytosis, but it differs significantly from normal exocytosis. While the vesicle membrane initially holding excreting molecules remains on the cell surface during exocytosis, the outer acrosomal membrane and plasma membrane are lost by forming vesicles during acrosome reaction. In this context, the latter process resembles a release of exosome. However, recent experimental data indicate that the most important roles of acrosome reaction lie not in the release of acrosomal contents (or "vesiculated" plasma and outer acrosomal membrane complexes) but rather in changes in sperm membrane. This review describes the mechanism of fertilization vis-a-vis sperm membrane change, with a brief historical overview of the half-century study of acrosome reaction.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-1, Suita, 565-0871, Osaka, Japan. okabe@biken.osaka-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okabe
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast / Q000266:history* / Q000295:instrumentation; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology; D012617:Sea Urchins / Q000502:physiology; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008164:Luminescent Proteins; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; C413663:fluorescent protein 583; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins