An Ultrastructural and Radioautographic Study of Early Oogenesis in the Toad Xenopus Laevis

1973 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-93
Author(s):  
LESLEY WATSON COGGINS
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Thymidine Incorporation ◽  
Ultrastructural Level ◽  
Extrachromosomal Dna ◽  
Late Pachytene ◽  
Synaptonemal Complexes ◽  
Round Nucleus ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Major Period

Early oogenesis in the toad Xenopus laevis has been investigated at the ultrastructural level, with particular reference to the formation of extrachromosomal DNA. Thymidine incorporation was localized by electron microscope radioautography. In oogonia, the nucleus is irregular in outline and may contain several nucleoli. Oocytes, from premeiotic interphase to late pachytene, are found in cell nests which are estimated to consist of about 16 cells each. Adjacent oocytes within a nest are connected by intercellular bridges and develop synchronously. Each premeiotic interphase-leptotene oocyte has a round nucleus which contains one or two centrally located, spherical nucleoli. Electron-microscope radioautography showed that all nuclei in a cell nest incorporate thymidine synchronously during premeiotic S-phase. In zygotene oocytes, axial cores and synaptonemal complexes are observed in the nucleus and abut against the inner nuclear membrane in the region nearest the centre of the cell nest. The nucleolus is still more-or-less round in outline, but is asymmetrically positioned in the nucleus. It lies near the nuclear envelope on the side of the nucleus furthest away from the attachment of the chromosome ends, that is, nearest the outside of the cell nest. Each nucleolus is surrounded by a fibrillar ‘halo’ of nucleolus-associated chromatin into which a low level of thymidine incorporation occurs during zygotene. This is thought to represent the start of the major period of amplification of the ribosomal DNA. Pachytene is characterized by the presence of synaptonemal complexes in the nucleus. The nucleolus becomes very irregular in outline. The fibrillar area around it, which represents the extrachromosomal DNA, increases in size and thymidine is incorporated over the whole of this region. In late pachytene, many small fibrogranular bodies, the multiple nucleoli, are formed in it. The members of a cell nest become separated from one another at this time and begin to develop asynchronously. In diplotene, synaptonemal complexes are no longer observed in the nucleus. The most prominent structures in the nucleus are now the multiple nucleoli, which increase greatly in number in early diplotene. A large increase in cytoplasmic volume occurs and the oocyte grows in size.

scholarly journals THE TIMING OF MEIOSIS AND DNA SYNTHESIS DURING EARLY OOGENESIS IN THE TOAD, XENOPUS LAEVIS

1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 569-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Watson Coggins ◽  
Joseph G. Gall
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Tritiated Thymidine ◽  
Extrachromosomal Dna ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Chromosomal Dna ◽  
Late Pachytene ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Major Period

Recently metamorphosed female Xenopus laevis toads were injected with tritiated thymidine. Animals were kept at 20°C and were sacrificed 1–23 days after isotope injection. Radio-autographs of squash preparations of the ovaries were made. The progress of labeled germ cell nuclei was followed to obtain information on the time course of early meiosis and extra-chromosomal DNA synthesis. Premeiotic S was estimated to take not more than 7 days. Leptotene takes 4 days, zygotene takes 5 days, and pachytene was estimated to be completed in about 18 days. The major period of amplification of the extrachromosomal DNA occurs in pachytene and takes about 13 days. A low level of synthesis was observed before and after this period, in zygotene and late pachytene-early diplotene, extending the total time for extrachromosomal DNA synthesis during meiosis to about 18 days. These data allowed the calculation to be made that one round of replication of the amplified DNA takes between 1.2 and 3.0 days. It was also found that in both oogonial and premeiotic interphases, the nucleolus-associated DNA shows asynchronous (probably late) labeling with respect to the chromosomes.

scholarly journals THE FORMATION AND STRUCTURE OF MYELIN SHEATHS IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

1960 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Peters
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Peripheral Nervous System ◽  
Nerve Fibre ◽  
Potassium Permanganate ◽  
Myelin Sheaths ◽  
A Cell ◽  
The Central Nervous System

The development and structure of myelin sheaths have been studied in the optic nerves of rats and of Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Both potassium permanganate- and osmium-fixed material was examined with the electron microscope. In the first stage of myelinogenesis the nerve fibre is surrounded by a cell process which envelops it and forms a mesaxon. The mesaxon then elongates into a loose spiral from which the cytoplasm is later excluded, so that compact myelin is formed. This process is similar to myelinogenesis in the peripheral nervous system, although in central fibres the cytoplasm on the outside of the myelin is confined in a tongue-like process to a fraction of the circumference, leaving the remainder of the sheath uncovered, so that contacts are possible between adjacent myelin sheaths. The structure of nodes in the central nervous system has been described and it is suggested that the oligodendrocytes may be the myelin-forming cells.

Ultrastructure of melanocyte-keratinocyte interactions and pigment transfer in vitro

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 650-651
Author(s):  
Raul I. Garcia ◽  
Evelyn A. Flynn ◽  
George Szabo
Keyword(s):  
Direct Injection ◽  
Skin Pigmentation ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Pigment Granule ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Ultrastructural Level ◽  
Lanthanum Tracer ◽  
A Cell

Skin pigmentation in mammals involves the interaction of epidermal melanocytes and keratinocytes in the structural and functional unit known as the Epidermal Melanin Unit. Melanocytes(M) synthesize melanin within specialized membrane-bound organelles, the melanosome or pigment granule. These are subsequently transferred by way of M dendrites to keratinocytes(K) by a mechanism still to be clearly defined. Three different, though not necessarily mutually exclusive, mechanisms of melanosome transfer have been proposed: cytophagocytosis by K of M dendrite tips containing melanosomes, direct injection of melanosomes into the K cytoplasm through a cell-to-cell pore or communicating channel formed by localized fusion of M and K cell membranes, release of melanosomes into the extracellular space(ECS) by exocytosis followed by K uptake using conventional phagocytosis. Variability in methods of transfer has been noted both in vivo and in vitro and there is evidence in support of each transfer mechanism. We Have previously studied M-K interactions in vitro using time-lapse cinemicrography and in vivo at the ultrastructural level using lanthanum tracer and freeze-fracture.

Electron microscopy of the replicative events of A25 bacteriophages in group A streptococci

1972 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Read ◽  
R. W. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Group A Streptococci ◽  
Virulent Phage ◽  
Acid Pool ◽  
Group A ◽  
A Cell

The replicative events of a virulent phage (A25) infection of a group A Streptococcus (T253) were studied using the electron microscope. The first intracellular evidence of phage replication in a cell occurred 30 min after infection with arrest of cell division and increase in the nucleic acid pool. Phage heads were evident in the nucleic acid pool of the cells 45 min after infection. Release of phages occurred by splitting of the cell wall along discrete lines. This appeared to be at sites of active wall synthesis, i.e., near the region of septum formation. Many phage components were released but relatively few complete phages indicating a relatively inefficient replicative system.

An ultrastructural study of the effects of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) on cell cortex organization during the first cleavage of Xenopus laevis eggs. II. Cortical wound healing

1979 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67
Author(s):  
M. Geuskens ◽  
R. Tencer
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Ultrastructural Study ◽  
Wheat Germ Agglutinin ◽  
Wheat Germ ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Animal Pole ◽  
Annular Zone

Uncleaved fertilized eggs of Xenopus laevis treated with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) have been pricked at the animal pole both inside and outside the regressed furrow region. The wounded cortex of both regions has been studied with the electron microscope and compared with the same region of wounded, untreated eggs. In all 3 cases, filaments are organized in an annular zone in the damaged cortex. When the surface is pricked outside the regressed furrow of WGA-treated embryos, bundles of microfilaments radiate from the ring and extend in deep folds which form a ‘star’ around the wound at the surface of the embryo. However, when the surface is pricked in the new membrane of the regressed furrow, filaments are intermingled with internalized portions of the plasma membrane. It is suggested that, when the surface is pricked outside the furrow region, more filaments are mobilized to counteract the tangential retraction of the membrane which has acquired more rigidity after WGA binding.

Ultrastructure of polytene chromosomes of Drosophila isolated by microdissection

1980 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-30
Author(s):  
M.R. Mott ◽  
E.J. Burnett ◽  
R.J. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Polytene Chromosomes ◽  
Ultrastructural Level ◽  
Chromosomal Proteins ◽  
Linear Arrays ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Particles ◽  
Acid Protein

Drosophila polytene chromosomes prepared by a new micromanipulative procedure, which avoids acid squashing, have been examined at the ultrastructural level in the electron microscope. Puffs at 2B, 68C, 74EF, 75B and 85EF, have been examined in some detail, along with the chromocentre and various interbands. The ultrastructure of these chromosomes, which have never been exposed to acid protein denaturants, compares favourably with that of classical acid-fixed specimens. Ribonucleoprotein particles in puffs are seen to be organized in linear arrays and evidence is adduced for looped transcription units. Particles with characteristic sizes and morphologies are observed near the chromocentre, in puffs and in interbands. In interbands RNP particles and ‘superbead’-like chromatin particles may be distinguished. Drosophila polytene chromosomes isolated by micro-manipulation should prove useful for the localization of native chromosomal proteins at an ultrastructural level.

scholarly journals Secretion of a cytoplasmic lectin from Xenopus laevis skin.

1986 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 492-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
N C Bols ◽  
M M Roberson ◽  
P L Haywood-Reid ◽  
R F Cerra ◽  
S H Barondes
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Mucous Gland ◽  
Gland Cells ◽  
Binding Lectin

The skin of Xenopus laevis contains a soluble beta-galactoside-binding lectin with a approximately 16,000-mol-wt subunit. It resembles similar lectins purified from a variety of tissues from other vertebrates, and differs from two other soluble X. laevis lectins from oocytes and serum that bind alpha-galactosides. The skin lectin is concentrated in the cytoplasm of granular gland and mucous gland cells, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry with the electron microscope. Upon injection with epinephrine, there is massive secretion of the cytoplasmic lectin from the granular gland cells.

scholarly journals KCTD19 and its associated protein ZFP541 are independently essential for meiosis in male mice

PLoS Genetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. e1009412
Author(s):  
Seiya Oura ◽  
Takayuki Koyano ◽  
Chisato Kodera ◽  
Yuki Horisawa-Takada ◽  
Makoto Matsuyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Late Pachytene ◽  
Histone Deacetylase 1 ◽  
Tetramerization Domain ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Division Process ◽  
A Cell

Meiosis is a cell division process with complex chromosome events where various molecules must work in tandem. To find meiosis-related genes, we screened evolutionarily conserved and reproductive tract-enriched genes using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and identified potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 19 (Kctd19) as an essential factor for meiosis. In prophase I, Kctd19 deficiency did not affect synapsis or the DNA damage response, and chiasma structures were also observed in metaphase I spermatocytes of Kctd19 KO mice. However, spermatocytes underwent apoptotic elimination during the metaphase-anaphase transition. We were able to rescue the Kctd19 KO phenotype with an epitope-tagged Kctd19 transgene. By immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, we confirmed the association of KCTD19 with zinc finger protein 541 (ZFP541) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1). Phenotyping of Zfp541 KO spermatocytes demonstrated XY chromosome asynapsis and recurrent DNA damage in the late pachytene stage, leading to apoptosis. In summary, our study reveals that KCTD19 associates with ZFP541 and HDAC1, and that both KCTD19 and ZFP541 are essential for meiosis in male mice.

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