| Title: | At the physical limit - chemosensation in sperm |
| Author(s): | Strunker T; Alvarez L; Kaupp UB; |
| Address: | "Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, Bonn 53175, Germany. Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, Bonn 53175, Germany. Electronic address: u.b.kaupp@caesar.de" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.conb.2015.02.007 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1873-6882 (Electronic) 0959-4388 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Many cells probe their environment for chemical cues. Some cells respond to picomolar concentrations of neuropeptides, hormones, pheromones, or chemoattractants. At such low concentrations, cells encounter only a few molecules. The mechanistic underpinnings of single-molecule sensitivity are not known for any eukaryotic cell. Sea urchin sperm offer a unique model to unveil in quantitative terms the principles underlying chemosensation at the physical limit. Here, we discuss the mechanisms of such exquisite sensitivity and the computational operations performed by sperm during chemotactic steering. Moreover, we highlight commonalities and differences between signalling in sperm and photoreceptors and among sperm from different species" |
| Keywords: | Animals Chemotactic Factors/pharmacology Humans Male Sensation/drug effects/*physiology Signal Transduction/drug effects/*physiology Spermatozoa/*physiology; |
| Notes: | "MedlineStrunker, T Alvarez, L Kaupp, U B eng Review England 2015/03/15 Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2015 Oct; 34:110-6. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2015.02.007. Epub 2015 Mar 11" |
