Acetylcholinesterase development in extra cells caused by changing the distribution of myoplasm in ascidian embryos

Development ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 343-354
Author(s):  
J. R. Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Continuous Treatment ◽  
Functional Specificity ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Division Plane ◽  
Styela Plicata ◽  
Developmental Fate ◽  
Ascidian Embryos ◽  
Functional Autonomy ◽  
Ascidian Embryo

This research shows that myoplasmic crescent material of the ascidian egg has both functional autonomy and functional specificity in establishing the differentiation pathway of muscle lineage cells. The cytoplasmic segregation pattern in eggs of Styela plicata was altered by compression of the embryos during third cleavage. This caused a meridional division instead of the normal equatorial third cleavage; first and second cleavages are meridional. Since eggs of S. plicata have a pronounced yellow myoplasmic crescent, one observes directly that third cleavage under compression resulted in a flat 8-cell stage with four cells containing yellow myoplasm instead of the two myoplasm-containing cells that would be formed by normal equatorial division at third cleavage. If such altered 8-cell-stage embryos were released from compression and kept from undergoing further divisions by continuous treatment with cytochalasin B, some embryos eventually developed histospecific acetylcholinesterase in three and four cells instead of in just the two muscle lineage cells found in cleavage-arrested normal 8-cell stages. The wider myoplasmic distribution effected by altering the division plane at third cleavage apparently caused a change in developmental fate of the extra cells receiving myoplasm. This meridional third cleavage also resulted in a changed nuclear lineage pattern. Two nuclei that would ordinarily be in ectodermal lineage cells after third cleavage were now associated with yellow myoplasm. Acetylcholinesterase development in these cells demonstrates that nuclear lineages are not responsible for muscle acetylcholinesterase development in the ascidian embryo.

An FGF signal from endoderm and localized factors in the posterior-vegetal egg cytoplasm pattern the mesodermal tissues in the ascidian embryo

Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (13) ◽  
pp. 2853-2862 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.J. Kim ◽  
A. Yamada ◽  
H. Nishida
Keyword(s):  
Marginal Zone ◽  
Normal Development ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Asymmetric Divisions ◽  
Notochord Cells ◽  
Ascidian Embryos ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mesenchyme Cells ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Ascidian Embryo

The major mesodermal tissues of ascidian larvae are muscle, notochord and mesenchyme. They are derived from the marginal zone surrounding the endoderm area in the vegetal hemisphere. Muscle fate is specified by localized ooplasmic determinants, whereas specification of notochord and mesenchyme requires inducing signals from endoderm at the 32-cell stage. In the present study, we demonstrated that all endoderm precursors were able to induce formation of notochord and mesenchyme cells in presumptive notochord and mesenchyme blastomeres, respectively, indicating that the type of tissue induced depends on differences in the responsiveness of the signal-receiving blastomeres. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), but not activin A, induced formation of mesenchyme cells as well as notochord cells. Treatment of mesenchyme-muscle precursors isolated from early 32-cell embryos with bFGF promoted mesenchyme fate and suppressed muscle fate, which is a default fate assigned by the posterior-vegetal cytoplasm (PVC) of the eggs. The sensitivity of the mesenchyme precursors to bFGF reached a maximum at the 32-cell stage, and the time required for effective induction of mesenchyme cells was only 10 minutes, features similar to those of notochord induction. These results support the idea that the distinct tissue types, notochord and mesenchyme, are induced by the same signaling molecule originating from endoderm precursors. We also demonstrated that the PVC causes the difference in the responsiveness of notochord and mesenchyme precursor blastomeres. Removal of the PVC resulted in loss of mesenchyme and in ectopic notochord formation. In contrast, transplantation of the PVC led to ectopic formation of mesenchyme cells and loss of notochord. Thus, in normal development, notochord is induced by an FGF-like signal in the anterior margin of the vegetal hemisphere, where PVC is absent, and mesenchyme is induced by an FGF-like signal in the posterior margin, where PVC is present. The whole picture of mesodermal patterning in ascidian embryos is now known. We also discuss the importance of FGF induced asymmetric divisions, of notochord and mesenchyme precursor blastomeres at the 64-cell stage.

A definite number of aphidicolin-sensitive cell-cyclic events are required for acetylcholinesterase development in the presumptive muscle cells of the ascidian embryos

Development ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Noriyuki Satoh ◽  
Susumu Ikegami
Keyword(s):  
Ache Activity ◽  
Cellular Differentiation ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Sensitive Cell ◽  
Specific Enzyme ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Simultaneous Treatment ◽  
Enzyme Development ◽  
Ascidian Embryos

In order to determine whether or not a crucial number of DNA replications are prerequisite for cellular differentiation, we have studied development of a tissue-specific enzyme, muscle acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the presumptive muscle cells of cleavage-arrested ascidian embryos. Embryos were cleavage-arrested with cytochalasin B (an inhibitor of cytokinesis) and aphidicolin (an inhibitor of DNA synthesis). The 64-ceIl-stage embryos which had been permanently cleavage-arrested with cytochalasin B developed AChE in all the eight presumptive muscle cells, but the same stage embryos which had been prevented from undergoing further divisions by simultaneous treatment with aphidicolin and cytochalasin did not produce AChE at all. Cytochalasin-arrested 76-cell-stage embryos were able to differentiate AChE in the ten presumptive muscle cells, while aphidicolin-cytochalasin-arrested 76-cell stages in as many as four cells. The early gastrulae which had been arrested with cytochalasin B produced AChE in all the sixteen presumptive muscle cells, while the same stage embryos arrested with aphidicolin and cylochalasin in as many as twelve cells. Cytochalasin-arrested late gastrulae developed AChE in twenty blastomeres, while aphidicolin-cytochalasinarrested late gastrulae in eighteen cells. The presumptive muscle cells at these four stages consist of those of three different (seventh, eighth, and ninth) generations, and the relative positions of the blastomeres in the cleavagearrested embryos remained fixed. Judging from the relative positions of the blaslomeres, the AChE-producing cells in aphidicolin-cytochalasin-arrested embryos were always at eighth or ninth generation, while those with no AChE activity were certainly at seventh generation. Based on these findings it was supposed that aphidicolin-sensitive cell-cyclic events, presumably DNA replication, are closely associated with AChE development and that the eighth cleavage cycle may be ‘quantal’ for the histospecific enzyme development.

Postimplantation development of tetraploid mouse embryos produced by electrofusion

Development ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 1121-1132
Author(s):  
M.H. Kaufman ◽  
S. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Histological Analysis ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Normal Embryo ◽  
Craniofacial Abnormalities ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Extraembryonic Membranes ◽  
Mammalian Embryonic Development ◽  
Viable Embryo

Despite the fact that a variety of experimental techniques have been devised over the years to induce tetraploid mammalian embryonic development, success rates to date have been limited. Apart from the early study by Snow, who obtained development to term of a limited number of cytochalasin B-induced tetraploid mouse embryos, no other researchers have achieved development of tetraploid embryos beyond the early postimplantation period. We now report advanced postimplantation development of tetraploid mouse embryos following electrofusion of blastomeres at the 2-cell stage, and subsequent transfer of these 1-cell ‘fused’ embryos to appropriate recipients. Cytogenetic analysis of the extraembryonic membranes of all of the postimplantation embryos encountered in the present study has provided an unequivocal means of confirming their tetraploid chromosome constitution. A preliminary morphological and histological analysis of the tetraploid embryos obtained by this technique has revealed that characteristic craniofacial abnormalities particularly involving the forebrain and eyes were consistently observed, and these features were often associated with abnormalities of the vertebral axis and heart. The most advanced viable embryo in this series was recovered on the 15th day of gestation, and its morphological features suggest that it was developmentally equivalent to a normal embryo of about 13.5-14 days p.c.

The influence of cell contact on the division of mouse 8-cell blastomeres

Development ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.J. Pickering ◽  
B. Maro ◽  
M.H. Johnson ◽  
J.N. Skepper
Keyword(s):  
Cell Polarity ◽  
Cell Interactions ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Division Plane ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Dividing Cells ◽  
Cell Embryo ◽  
Do So

The pattern of division of polarized 8-cell blastomeres with respect to the axis of cell polarity has been compared (i) for cells dividing alone with cells dividing in pairs, and (ii) for early and late dividing cells within a pair. Cell interactions do not seem to influence significantly the overall pattern of division within the population. The only significant difference found was that the second dividing cell in a pair tended to divide in the same way as its earlier dividing companion slightly more frequently than expected. These results suggest that cell interactions immediately prior to and during division do not influence strongly the orientation and position of the division plane. In contrast, interactions between the cells within an intact early 8-cell embryo, which is subsequently disaggregated to singletons or pairs, do influence the type of progeny generated at division to the 16-cell stage, and seem to do so via an effect on the size of the microvillous region generated at the cell apex.

Preimplantation development of microsurgically obtained haploid and homozygous diploid mouse embryos and effects of pretreatment with Cytochalasin B on enucleated eggs

Development ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-161
Author(s):  
Jacek A. Modliński
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Morula Stage ◽  
Homozygous Diploid ◽  
Haploid Embryos ◽  
Early Developmental

Haploid embryos were obtained by microsurgical removal of one pronucleus, followed by doubling of the haploid chromosome set with Cytochalasin B (CB), either at the first or second mitosis. This procedure provides a source of fully homozygous diploid embryos, which were grown in vitro or in vivo. The effect of CB treatment before and during operation on the course of enucleation and further development of embryos was studied. Out of 81 eggs made diploid at 2-cell stage and transplanted into the oviducts of immature or pseudopregnant recipients 27 morulae and blastocysts were recovered, but not a single case of implantation occurred by the eighth or ninth day of development. After 72–80 h of in vitro culture, most of the homozygous embryos were morulae but after an additional 24 h the majority of them transformed into blastocysts. The rate of development of homozygotes was markedly better than that of haploids, which progressed beyond morula stage. The immediate survival rate of operated eggs was dependent on whether or not the eggs were pre-incubated and the enucleation was performed in the presence of CB. In the former case the immediate survival rate was nearly twice as high as in the absence of CB, but more of the treated eggs underwent fragmentation and early developmental arrest.

On the ‘clock’ mechanism determining the time of tissue-specific enzyme development during ascidian embryogenesis

Development ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-139
Author(s):  
Noriyuki Satoh
Keyword(s):  
Ache Activity ◽  
Mitotic Cycle ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Specific Enzyme ◽  
Cleavage Stage ◽  
Halocynthia Roretzi ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Tissue Specific ◽  
Enzyme Development ◽  
Clock Mechanism

During ascidian embryogenesis a tissue-specific enzyme, muscle acetylcholinesterase (AChE) may first be detected histochemically in the presumptive muscle cells of the neurula. [n order to investigate the ‘clock’ or counting mechanism that is determining the time when AChE first appears, Whittaker's experiment (1973) has been repeated using eggs of theascidian, Halocynthia roretzi. Embryos that had been permanently cleavage-arrested with cytochalasin B were able to differentiate AChE in their muscle lineage blastomeres. The time of first AChE occurrence in embryos that had been cleavage-arrested in the 32-cell stage with cytochalasin B was about the same as in normal embryos. This result indicates that the clock is not apparently regulated by the events of cytokinesis. The early gastrulae which had been arrested with colchicine or with colcemid could develop AChE activity, although no histochemically detectable AChE activity was observed in the cleavage-stage embryos that had been arrested with either drug. Therefore the clock does not seem to be controlled by the mitotic cycle of the nucleus. It is suggested that the cycle of DNA replication may be related to the regulation of the clock that is determining the time of development of histospecific protein.

Using ascidian embryos to study the evolution of developmental gene regulatory networks

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela C Cone ◽  
Robert W Zeller
Keyword(s):  
Gene Regulatory Networks ◽  
Regulatory Network ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Developmental Gene ◽  
Regulatory Architecture ◽  
Ascidian Embryos ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
Mode Of Development ◽  
Ascidian Embryo

Ascidians are ideally positioned taxonomically at the base of the chordate tree to provide a point of comparison for developmental regulatory mechanisms that operate among protostomes, non-chordate deuterostomes, invertebrate chordates, and vertebrates. In this review, we propose a model for the gene regulatory network that gives rise to the ascidian notochord. The purpose of this model is not to clarify all of the interactions between molecules of this network, but to provide a working schematic of the regulatory architecture that leads to the specification of endoderm and the patterning of mesoderm in ascidian embryos. We describe a series of approaches, both computational and biological, that are currently being used, or are in development, for the study of ascidian embryo gene regulatory networks. It is our belief that the tools now available to ascidian biologists, in combination with a streamlined mode of development and small genome size, will allow for more rapid dissection of developmental gene regulatory networks than in more complex organisms such as vertebrates. It is our hope that the analysis of gene regulatory networks in ascidians can provide a basic template which will allow developmental biologists to superimpose the modifications and novelties that have arisen during deuterostome evolution.

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