Calcium in sea urchin egg during fertilization

Abstract

Calcium plays a strikingly important role in two of the major events in developmental biology: cell activation and differentiation. In this review we begin with the location and quantity of intracellular calcium in sea urchin oocytes, and then discuss the changes that occur during fertilization and egg activation, placing special emphasis on the mobilization and redistribution of intracellular calcium. We also discuss the propagation of the calcium wave and the role of the burst of calcium on the process of reorganizing the egg cortex at fertilization.