Toward the understanding of biology of oocyte life cycle in Xenopus Laevis: No oocytes left behind

Background For the past more than 25 years, we have been focusing on the developmental and reproductive biology of the female gametes, oocytes, and eggs, of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. Methods The events associated with the life cycle of these cells can be classified into the four main c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reproductive medicine and biology 2020-04, Vol.19 (2), p.114-119
Main Authors: Sato, Ken‐ichi, Tokmakov, Alexander A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amphibians
Cell cycle
Cellular signal transduction
Eggs
Embryogenesis
Embryonic development
Fertilization
Frogs
Gametes
Genomes
Kinases
Laboratories
Life cycles
Mammals
MAP kinase
Meiosis
Mini Review
Mini Reviews
Molecular modelling
oocyte maturation
Oocytes
Oogenesis
Ovulation
Physiology
Protein kinases
Protein-tyrosine kinase
Proteins
Signal transduction
Social aspects
Sperm
Studies
Xenopus laevis
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Summary:Background For the past more than 25 years, we have been focusing on the developmental and reproductive biology of the female gametes, oocytes, and eggs, of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. Methods The events associated with the life cycle of these cells can be classified into the four main categories: first, oogenesis and cell growth in the ovary during the first meiotic arrest; second, maturation and ovulation that occur simultaneously and result in the acquisition of fertilization competence and the second meiotic arrest; third, fertilization, that is sperm‐induced transition from egg to zygote; and fourth, egg death after spontaneous activation in the absence of fertilizing sperm. Main findings Our studies have demonstrated that signal transduction system involving tyrosine kinase Src and other oocyte/egg membrane‐associated molecules such as uroplakin III and some other cytoplasmic proteins such as mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) play important roles for successful ovulation, maturation, fertilization, and initiation of embryonic development. Conclusion We summarize recent advances in understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying life cycle events of the oocytes and eggs. Our further intention is to discuss and predict potentially promising impact of the recent findings on the challenges facing reproductive biology and medicine, as well as societal contexts. Xenopus laevis. Model animal. Oocyte Biology.
ISSN:1445-5781
1447-0578
DOI:10.1002/rmb2.12314