Title of article :
The Molecular Mechanisms of Gametic Incompatibility in Invertebrates
Author/Authors :
Lobov, A.A Department of Invertebrate Zoology - Faculty of Biology - St Petersburg State University, Russia , Maltseva, A.L Lobov, A.A Department of Invertebrate Zoology - Faculty of Biology - St Petersburg State University, Russia , Mikhailova, N.A Centre of Cell Technologies - Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia , Granovitch, A.I Department of Invertebrate Zoology - Faculty of Biology - St Petersburg State University, Russia
Abstract :
Fertilization (gamete fusion followed by zygote formation) is a multistage process. Each stage is mediated by ligand-receptor recognition of gamete interaction molecules. This recognition includes the move-ment of sperm in the gradient of egg chemoattractants, destruction of the egg envelope by acrosomal proteins, etc. Gametic incompatibility is one of the mechanisms of reproductive isolation. It is based on species-specific molecular interactions that prevent heterospecific fertilization. Although gametic incompatibility may occur in any sexually reproducing organism, it has been studied only in a few model species. Gamete interactions in different taxa involve generally similar processes, but they often employ non-homologous molecules. Gamete recognition proteins evolve rapidly, like immunity proteins, and include many taxon-specific families. In fact, recently appeared proteins particularly contribute to reproductive isolation via gametic incompatibility. Thus, we can assume a multiple, independent origin of this type of reproductive isolation throughout animal evolution. Gametic incompatibility can be achieved at any fertilization stage and entails different consequences at different taxonomic levels and ranges, from complete incompatibility between closely related species to partial incompat-ibility between distantly related taxa
Keywords :
invertebrates , speciation , reproductive isolation , gametic isolation , gametic incompatibility , gamete recognition proteins
Journal title :
Acta Naturae