Activation of Xenopus Eggs by an Extract of Cynops Sperm: (fertilization/egg-activation/polyspermy block/sperm...

An extract obtained from Cynops sperm induced the activation of both Cynops and Xenopus eggs with accompanying changes in the potential of the egg membrane that were quite similar to those caused by the Cynops sperm. The activation-inducing properties of the extract were abolished by treatment with proteinase K or by heating (60°C, 15 min) and were associated with a protease activity against peptidyl Arg-MCA substrates. The activation of Xenopus eggs by the extract was inhibited by those substrates, or by protease inhibitors, aprotinin or leupeptin. The protease activity was localized in the acrosomal region of Cynops sperm. The activation of Xenopus eggs by the extract was prevented when the exterior concentration of Ca2+ ions, [Ca2+ ]0 , was reduced to 1.5 μM, but it was enhanced when [Ca2+ ]0 was increased to 340 μM. The activation of Xenopus eggs by the extract was not affected by positive clamping when [Ca2+ ]0 was 340 μM. These results suggest that the sperm extract contains a protease that causes an increase in the influx of Ca2+ ions that results in voltage-insensitive activation of the egg.