Abstract
NAADP is a highly potent mobilizer of Ca2+ [1,2], which in turn triggers Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release pathways [3-6] in a wide range of species [2, 7]. Nevertheless, NAADP is not presently classified as a second messenger because it has not been shown to increase in response to a physiological stimulus. We now report a dramatic increase in NAADP during sea urchin egg fertilization that was largely due to production in sperm upon contacting egg jelly. The NAADP bolus plays a physiological role upon delivery to the egg based on its ability to induce a cortical flash, a depolarization-induced activation of L-type Ca2+ channels. Moreover, the sperm-induced cortical flash was eliminated in eggs desensitized to NAADP. We conclude that an NAADP increase plays a physiologically relevant role during fertilization and provides the first conclusive demonstration that NAADP is a genuine second messenger.
Lingua originale | Inglese |
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pagine (da-a) | 125-128 |
Numero di pagine | 4 |
Rivista | Current Biology |
Volume | 13 |
Numero di pubblicazione | 2 |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 21 gen 2003 |
Pubblicato esternamente | Sì |