RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The control of oxidant stress at fertilization
JF Science
JO Science
FD American Association for the Advancement of Science
SP 533
OP 536
DO 10.1126/science.1850548
VO 252
IS 5005
A1 Shapiro, BM
YR 1991
UL http://science.sciencemag.org/content/252/5005/533.abstract
AB Metazoan eggs alter their coats after fertilization to protect the early embryo. In sea urchins, this modification consists of a rapid, coordinated set of noncovalent macromolecular assembly steps that are stabilized by protein cross-linking. The sea urchin egg uses an oxidative cross-linking reaction that requires hydrogen peroxide and a secreted peroxidase and thus faces the challenge of oxidant stress at the beginning of its development. Protection from the deleterious effects of this oxidative mechanism is afforded by regulation of the production and utilization of oxidizing species. This regulation requires a specific protein kinase C-activated oxidase and ovothiol, an intracellular antioxidant.