01681nas a2200157   4500008004100000245006700041210006600108260001700174300001100191490000700202520111100209100001501320700002101335700002301356856014401379       2011                        eng d00aPLCζ and its role as a trigger of development in vertebrates.0 aPLCζ and its role as a trigger of development in vertebrates  c2011 Oct-Nov  a846-530 v783 aA major unresolved issue in developmental biology is the precise mechanism whereby the sperm activates the oocyte. With the discovery that calcium signals are the primary trigger for oocyte activation, a key remaining question became the identification of the signaling protein that mediates such calcium signals at fertilization. A major step forward came in 2002 with the discovery of a sperm-specific mammalian phospholipase C called phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ), which had the expected properties of the mammalian oocyte activation factor and was subsequently identified in other vertebrate groups. Most recently, defects in PLCζ have been shown to be linked to certain types of male infertility in humans. Despite these advances, many questions remain about the precise mechanism of action of PLCζ and the extent of its role during oocyte activation in the vertebrate kingdom. In this review, we will look at the current state of understanding of PLCζ's mechanism of action and physiological role in mammals and other vertebrates, and identify areas of uncertainty that still remain to be resolved.1 aIto, Junya1 aParrington, John1 aFissore, Rafael, A  uhttps://www.umass.edu/veterinary-animal-sciences/research-faculty/publications/plcz-and-its-role-as-a-trigger-of-development-in-vertebrates