The Molecular Biology of Fertilization focuses on the different aspects of fertilization in several models, including insects, clams, sea urchins, ascidians, cows, pigs, sheep, rats, hamsters, and humans. This book examines the experimental approaches using methods of molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, immunology, and enzymology. Comprised of three parts encompassing 15 chapters, this book starts by discussing the ability of egg factors to affect sperm motility and initiate the acrosome reaction by modifying ion movements across the sperm plasma membrane. This text then provides an overview of the different aspects of egg architecture, ranging from extracellular remodeling to nuclei organization, which is involved in embryogenesis and fertilization. Finally, the last part deals with oncogenes, gene expression, and nuclear determination during embryogenesis and at fertilization. This book will be a great value to molecular biologists, cell biologists, reproductive biologists, developmental biologists, biophysicists, biochemists, geneticists, researchers, scientists, and students.

Table of Contents:
Contributors Preface I The Molecules Involved in Sperm-Egg Recognition and Binding 1 The Regulation of Spermatozoan Function by the Egg I. Introduction II. Background III. Future Concerns References 2 Receptors and Membrane Interactions during Fertilization I. Introduction II. Acrosome Reaction III. Receptor-Mediated Sperm-Egg Binding IV. Gamete Fusion and Cortical Granule Exocytosis V. Conclusion References 3 Galactosyltransferase as a Recognition Molecule during Fertilization and Development I. Introduction II. Galactosyltransferase III. Cell Surface GalTase IV. The T/t Complex V. Receptor Function of GalTase during Gamete Binding VI. The Zona Pellucida Receptor for Sperm VII. Expression of Surface GalTase during Spermatogenesis and Epididymal Maturation VIII. Exposure of Sperm GalTase Prior to Binding the Zona Pellucida IX. The Fate of Surface GalTase following Sperm Binding to the Zona Pellucida X. Surface GalTase Participates in Other Cell Interactions during Development XI. Future Directions References 4 The Molecular Biology of Bindin I. Introduction II. Bindin and cDNA Cloning III. Information from the cDNA Clone IV. Bindin as a Testis-Specific Gene V. Species Specificity of the Bindin-Receptor Interaction VI. Future Prospects References II Pronuclear Formation and Cytoskeletal Events Resulting in Syngamy and Cell Cycle Progression 5 Formation and Function of the Male Pronucleus during Mammalian Fertilization I. Introduction II. Decondensation of the Mammalian Sperm Nucleus: In Vitro Analyses III. Decondensation of the Mammalian Sperm Nucleus: Analyses of Fertilization IV. Oocyte Maturation and Sperm Nuclear Decondensation V. Formation of the Male Pronucleus VI. Function of the Male Pronucleus: DNA Synthesis References 6 Reactivation and Remodeling of the Sperm Nucleus following Fertilization I. Introduction II. The Nucleus of the Mature Sperm III. Pronuclear Decondensation IV. Initiation of Replication V. Chromatin Remodeling VI. Transcriptional Activation VII. Conclusions and Speculations References 7 Redistribution of Nuclear Envelope, Nucleolar, and Kinetochore Antigens during Mouse Spermatogenesis and Early Development I. Introduction II. Lamins in Different Cell Types III. Nucleolar Position during Spermatogenesis in Mouse IV. Kinetochore Distribution during Spermatogenesis in Mouse References 8 Developmental Control of Nuclear Proteins in Amphibia I. Introduction II. Accumulation and State of the Maternal Store III. Metabolic Changes and Topological Rearrangements during Egg Maturation IV. Consumption of the Maternal Store and the Beginning of Gene Expression in the Embryo V. Summary and Prospects References 9 Centrosomes, Centrioles, and Posttranslationally Modified a-Tubulins during Fertilization I. Cytoskeletal Activity and Motility during Fertilization II. Centrosomes III. Centrioles IV. Posttranslational Modification of a-Tubulins V. Conclusions and Future Prospects References 10 Cyclins and Regulation of the Cell Cycle in Early Embryos I. Introduction II. Newly Synthesized Proteins Are Required for Each Mitosis in Early Embryos and in Somatic Cells III. Meiosis and the Requirement for Protein Synthesis IV. Cyclins: Continuous Synthesis, Periodic Destruction V. Cyclin A Acts as Inducer of M Phase; High Levels of Cyclin B May Keep Cells in M Phase VI. Molecular Characterization of the Cyclins VII. Discussion References III Gene Activation, Protooncogenes, and Nuclear Determination at Fertilization and during Embryogenesis 11 Genetic Control of Germ Cell Function: Developmentally Regulated Gene Expression during Gametogenesis I. Introduction II. Genes That Exhibit a Unique Pattern of Expression in the Testis as Compared to Their Expression in Other Adult Tissues III. Genes That Are Expressed Specifically during Embryonic Development and in the Germ Line in the Adult IV. Genes That Are Expressed Uniquely in Germ Cells V. Concluding Remarks References 12 The Molecular Biology of Mammalian Oocyte Maturation I. Introduction II. Life Cycle of the Developing Egg in Mammals III. Regulation of Meiotic State Prior to GVBD IV. Completion of Meiosis I V. Consequences of Oogenesis for Fertilization and Early Embryonic Development References 13 Changes in Gene Activity Early after Fertilization I. Introduction II. General Patterns of Gene Activity III. Activation of Protein Synthesis IV. Synthesis of Specific Proteins after Fertilization V. Regulation of Histone Synthesis VI. Accumulation of snRNAs VII. Conclusions References 14 Nuclear Transfer in Mammals and Amphibians: Nuclear Equivalence, Species Specificity? I. Introduction II. Nuclear Transfer: Amphibians III. Nuclear Transfer: Mammals IV. Nuclear Modifications after Nuclear Transfer V. Differentiation in Various Species VI. Conclusions References 15 Ooplasmic Segregation in the Ascidian Styela I. Introduction II. Ooplasmic Segregation in Styela III. Components Involved in Ooplasmic Segregation IV. Mechanism of Ooplasmic Segregation V. Spatial Control of Ooplasmic Segregation VI. Developmental Significance of Ooplasmic Segregation VII. General Features of Ooplasmic Segregation References Index