Laboratoire de Physiologie de la Reproduction, Groupe Stéroades ERA CNRS 694, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 Place Jussieu, 75230 Paris Cedex 05 France
Abstract:
Microinjection of cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor (1.8 μM) increases the cAMP level of Xenopus oocyte. Its effect was observed in full-grown (stage VI) as well as in vitellogenic (stage IV) oocytes. In contrast the inhibitor I1 of protein phosphatase-1 blocks cAMP accumulation. Progesterone (1 μM) decreases the cAMP level in control and in PKI-treated oocytes of both stages. These results show that cAMP concentration is regulated by a cAMP-dependent phosphorylation indicating the presence of a feedback mechanism. The feedback control is disrupted when oocyte is induced to mature by progesterone.