Abstract
1-Methyladenine (1-MA) secreted from the follicle cells is the biological signal for meiosis reinitiation of starfish oocytes. The signal of 1-MA is transduced into cytoplasmic formation of maturation-promoting factor (MPF) that eventually induces a germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Microinjection of pertussis toxin (PTX) inhibited 1-MA-induced GVBD in Asterina pectinifera and Asterina (Patiria) miniata. PTX-inhibition of GVBD was rescued by the injection of MPF into PTX-preinjected oocytes. Most of the PTX-and MPF-double injected eggs were fertilized and underwent cleavage, suggesting the presence of a GTP-binding protein (G protein) specific for 1-MA signal transduction. Indeed, plasma membrane preparations of A. pectinifera oocytes contained a G protein consisting of 39-kDa α, 37-kDa β, and 8-kDa γ subunits. The a subunit contained a site for ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by PTX. It was also recognized by antibodies specific for a common GTP-binding site of mammalian a subunits or a carboxy-terminal ADP-ribosylation site of mammalian inhibitory G protein (Gi) α subunits. Its gene was 74% and 83.7% identical to the rat Gi-2α gene in nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences, respectively. The 39-kDa α subunit shared the common GTP-binding site of mammalian G protein a subunits and the PTX-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation site of mammalian Giα subunits as expected from the immunoreactivity. The oocyte membranes had apparently two forms of 1-MA receptors with high and low affinities. The high-affinity form was converted into the low-affinity one in the presence of a non-hydrolyzable analogue of GTP. The 39-kDa α subunit of starfish G protein was also ADP-ribosylated by cholera toxin only when 1-MA was added to the membranes. These results indicate that in starfish oocyte membranes, 1-MA receptors are functionally coupled with the 39-kDa PTX-substrate G protein that transduces the signal into the formation of a cytoplasmic factor (MPF) and eventually into the reinitiation of meiosis.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-10 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Invertebrate Reproduction and Development |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 1-3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1992 Dec |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- 1-methyladenine
- Asterina pectinifera
- G protein
- Oocyte maturation
- Pertussis toxin
- Signal transduction
- Starfish
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Developmental Biology