Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
05:44
Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca2+-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm
Published on: March 1, 2019
[The signalling cascade of fertilization]
A A Tokmakov1, K I Sato, Y Fukami
1A. A. Uktomsky Physiological Research Institute, St. Petersburg State University. tokmak@gsc.riken.go.ip
Tsitologiia
|July 4, 2002
Summary
Fertilization triggers egg activation via a calcium ion (Ca2+) wave, initiated by sperm entry. This process involves a signaling cascade including Src family kinases and phospholipase C gamma, crucial for successful reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Molecular Reproduction
Context:
- Fertilization initiates a rapid calcium ion (Ca2+) release in the egg.
- This Ca2+ mobilization is essential for activating the egg and enabling development.
- Understanding this process is key to reproductive science.
Purpose:
- To review recent findings on the signaling pathway of fertilization-induced egg activation.
- To highlight the role of tyrosine kinases in this critical process.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking sperm-egg interaction to Ca2+ release.
Summary:
- Fertilization triggers a wave of intracellular calcium ions (Ca2+) originating from the sperm entry site.
- This activation requires the sequential action of Src family kinases, phospholipase C gamma, and endoplasmic reticulum inositol trisphosphate receptors.
- Tyrosine kinases play a significant role in mediating the egg activation cascade.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular players involved in fertilization.
- Enhances understanding of early embryonic development triggers.
- Offers insights into potential targets for fertility research and treatments.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Yeast Signaling
Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...
01:24Intracellular Signaling Cascades
Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...
01:38Fertilization
During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
01:01Autocrine Signaling
Autocrine signaling is one of the many signaling mechanisms that function inside multicellular organisms to carry out intercellular communication. In this type of signaling mechanism, the same cell that secretes an extracellular signaling molecule also expresses the receptors to bind and respond to that signaling molecule.
Autocrine Signaling in Macrophages
Under normal physiological conditions, autocrine signaling is essential for maintaining homeostasis. This process is well characterized in...
Autocrine Signaling in Macrophages
Under normal physiological conditions, autocrine signaling is essential for maintaining homeostasis. This process is well characterized in...
01:24Intracellular Signaling Cascades
Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...
01:07MAPK Signaling Cascades
Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...