Temporal sequence and spatial distribution of early events of fertilization in single sea urchin eggs

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Cell Biol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.99.5.1647· OSTI ID:6095919

Eisen, A; Kiehart, D P; Wieland, S J; Reynolds, G T

Measurements and observations of five early events of fertilization, singly and in pairs, from single sea urchin eggs have revealed the precise temporal sequence and spatial distribution of these events. In the Arbacia punctulata egg, a wave of surface contraction occurs coincident with membrane depolarization (t = 0). These two earliest events are followed by the onset of a rapid, propagated increase in cytoplasmic-free calcium at approx.23 s as measured by calcium-aequorin luminescence. The luminescence reaches its peak value by 40 s after the membrane depolarization. The luminescence remains uniformly elevated for some time before its decay over several minutes. The onset of an increase in the pyridin nucleotide (NAD(P)H) fluorescence follows the membrane depolarization at approx.51 s. The fertilization membrane begins its elevation in a wave-like fashion coincidentally with the increase in NAD(P)H fluorescence. Similar results are observed in the Lytechinus variegatus egg. The results suggest that while the increase in cytoplasmic-free calcium may be important for many changes occurring in the egg, the elevated-free calcium is not directly responsible for the propagated wave of cortical granule exocytosis. 32 references, 10 figures.

• Research Organization: Marine Biological Lab., Woods Hole, MA
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76EV03120
• OSTI ID: 6095919
• Journal Information: J. Cell Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Cell Biol.; (United States) Vol. 99:5; ISSN JCLBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

551000* -- Physiological Systems
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AZINES
CALCIUM
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CYTOPLASM
DEPOLARIZATION
DISTRIBUTION
ECHINODERMS
EGGS
ELEMENTS
FERTILIZATION
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
INVERTEBRATES
LUMINESCENCE
MEMBRANES
METALS
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PYRIDINES
SEA URCHINS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION