A. E. Carlson

Architecture of the Vertebrate Egg Coat and Structural Basis of the ZP2 Block to Polyspermy

This study investigates how cleavage of ZP2 in the egg zona pellucida leads to oligomerization and structural changes that block polyspermy.

Xenopus laevis lack the critical sperm factor PLCζ

This study investigates whether Xenopus laevis sperm express an unannotated PLCZ1 ortholog, finding none and suggesting PLCZ1 may have been lost in the Xenopus lineage.

Studying metal-protein interactions using fluorescent protein indicators

This study develops and characterizes fluorescent protein reporters to detect metal-protein interactions, finding differential metal binding affinities and the role of glutathione in modulating these interactions.

TMEM16A activation for the fast block to polyspermy in the African clawed frog does not require conventional activation of egg PLCs

This study investigates the mechanism by which fertilization activates PLC in Xenopus laevis eggs to trigger the fast block to polyspermy, finding no effect from inhibitors of PLCγ or Gq/11 pathways.

PIP2 and Ca2+ regulation of TMEM16A currents in excised inside-out patches

This study investigates how intracellular Ca2+ affects the rundown rate of TMEM16A currents in excised patches by modulating PLC activity and PI(4,5)P2 levels.

Inhibiting actin polymerization does not prevent the fast block to polyspermy in the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis

Zinc protection of fertilized eggs is an ancient feature of sexual reproduction in animals

The paper shows that zinc release by eggs to block polyspermy is an ancient reproductive strategy across multiple animal phyla.