Membrane Fusions During Mammalian Fertilization

B.M. Gadella, J.P. Evans

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Successful completion of fertilization in mammals requires three different types of membrane fusion events. Firstly, the sperm cell will need to secrete its acrosome contents (acrosome exocytosis; also known as the acrosome reaction); this allows the sperm to penetrate the extracellular matrix of the oocyte (zona pellucida) and to reach the oocyte plasma membrane, the site of fertilization. Next the sperm cell will bind and fuse with the oocyte plasma membrane (also known as the oolemma), which is a different type of fusion in which two different cells fuse together. Finally, the fertilized oocyte needs to prevent polyspermic fertilization, or fertilization by more than one sperm. To this end, the oocyte secretes the contents of cortical granules by exocytotic fusions of these vesicles with the oocyte plasma membrane over the entire oocyte cell surface (also known as the cortical reaction or cortical granule exocytosis). The secreted cortical contents modify the zona pellucida, converting it to a state that is unreceptive to sperm, constituting a block to polyspermy. In addition, there is a block at the level of the oolemma (also known as the membrane block to polyspermy).
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationCell Fusion in Health and Disease
    Subtitle of host publicationI: Cell Fusion in Health
    EditorsThomas Dittmar, Kurt S. Zänker
    PublisherSpringer
    Pages65-80
    Number of pages16
    Volume713
    ISBN (Electronic)978-94-007-0763-4
    ISBN (Print)978-94-007-0762-7, 978-94-007-3571-2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

    Publication series

    NameAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
    PublisherSpringer New York
    ISSN (Print)0065-2598

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