First Author | Miyado K | Year | 2008 |
Journal | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A | Volume | 105 |
Issue | 35 | Pages | 12921-6 |
PubMed ID | 18728192 | Mgi Jnum | J:139129 |
Mgi Id | MGI:3807351 | Doi | 10.1073/pnas.0710608105 |
Citation | Miyado K, et al. (2008) The fusing ability of sperm is bestowed by CD9-containing vesicles released from eggs in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105(35):12921-6 |
abstractText | Membrane fusion is an essential step in the encounter of two nuclei from sex cells-sperm and egg-in fertilization. However, aside from the involvement of two molecules, CD9 and Izumo, the mechanism of fusion remains unclear. Here, we show that sperm-egg fusion is mediated by vesicles containing CD9 that are released from the egg and interact with sperm. We demonstrate that the CD9(-/-) eggs, which have a defective sperm-fusing ability, have impaired release of CD9-containing vesicles. We investigate the fusion-facilitating activity of CD9-containing vesicles by examining the fusion of sperm to CD9(-/-) eggs with the aid of exogenous CD9-containing vesicles. Moreover, we show, by examining the fusion of sperm to CD9(-/-) eggs, that hamster eggs have a similar fusing ability as mouse eggs. The CD9-containing vesicle release from unfertilized eggs provides insight into the mechanism required for fusion with sperm. |