Abstract
The cortical reaction at fertilization of a sea urchin egg results in the elevation of the fertilization membrane due to the exocytosis of cortical granules lying directly beneath the plasma membrane. These secretory granules are vesicles ∼1 µm in diameter and can be easily observed in phase-contrast optics. Insemination of the egg results in the release of intracellular ionized calcium which acts as the trigger for the fusion of the cortical granules with the plasma membrane and the expulsion of their contents into the extracellular space1,2. Although Ca2+is known to be involved hi exocytosis, it has not yet been clearly demonstrated how the high sensitivity to calcium is conferred on exocytosis3,4. Here we examine the action of antibodies to calmodulin on the secretion of the cortical granules and demonstrate that calmodulin is responsible for the high calcium sensitivity of the cortical reaction and can be localized on the inner plasma membrane surface.
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Steinhardt, R., Alderton, J. Calmodulin confers calcium sensitivity on secretory exocytosis. Nature 295, 154–155 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/295154a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/295154a0
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