Roles of Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase Ⅱ in Meiotic Maturation and Fertilization of Oocytes / 生物化学与生物物理进展

ABSTRACT

Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK), activated by auto-phosphorylation at the presence of calcium and calmodulin, is widely distributed in eukaryotes. CaMKs are important mediators of calcium signal in eukaryotes. Recent researches have suggested that CaMKⅡ is involved in the regulation of meiotic cell cycle of oocytes. It plays functional roles in meiotic maturation, polar body extrusion, fertilization and egg activation. As one of the down-stream signaling molecules of calcium, CaMKⅡ facilitates the inactivation of maturation promoting factor (MPF) and cytostatic factor (CSF) following fertilization, as well as the spindle microtubule organization and centrosome duplication. Although the functions of CaMKⅡ in oocyte meiosis are versatile and essential, the present results are primarily obtained from low vertebrates and mouse. In future studies, the function and regulation of this kinase in other mammals should be stressed.