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#sperm cells

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

Actin polymerization in sperm cells occurs primarily during:

Actin polymerization in sperm is temporally restricted to acrosomal reaction. G-actin monomers stored bound to profilin in sperm head rapidly assemble into F-actin bundle forming slender acrosomal process that extends bindin to reach vitelline envelope. Calcium influx and pH rise activate actin nucleation via formin and depolymerization of capping proteins, generating force to protrude process through egg jelly remnants. Cytochalasin B or latrunculin blocking polymerization prevents process formation and fertilization fails. Cortical reaction involves secretory exocytosis in egg, fertilization

Ref: Gilbert, Developmental Biology, 12th ed., Chapter 7: Actin polymerization driving acrosomal process extension in sea urchin sperm.

Actin polymerization in sperm cells occurs primarily during:

During acrosomal reaction, sperm subacrosomal region contains concentrated pool of globular actin monomers maintained unpolymerized by profilin. Upon Ca2+ influx triggered by egg jelly contact, actin rapidly polymerizes into bundle of filamentous F-actin pushing acrosomal membrane forward forming slender elongated acrosomal process about one micrometer long, thrusting bindin-bearing tip through viscous egg jelly toward vitelline envelope receptor field. Cytochalasin D experiments blocking actin polymerization abolish process extension and prevent fertilization. Fertilization cone actin polymer

Ref: Tilney & Inoue, J Cell Biol 1985, Acrosomal process actin; Gilbert Chapter 7: Actin polymerization in sperm.