Cyclic cytoplasmic activity of non-nucleate egg fragments of Xenopus controls the morphology of injected sperms

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
M. Sakai ◽  
A. Shinagawa
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Sperm Nucleus ◽  
Cyclic Activity ◽  
Triton X

Triton X-100-treated sperms were injected into non-nucleate egg fragments of Xenopus laevis to determine whether the structure of the injected sperm nucleus is affected by the cyclic activity of the cytoplasm. Swollen vesicular nuclei were very frequently observed when the sperms were injected and incubated during the ‘rounding-up’ phase of the recipient fragment, whereas no such structures were found when they were incubated during the ‘relaxing’ phase.

scholarly journals Remodeling sperm chromatin in Xenopus laevis egg extracts: the role of core histone phosphorylation and linker histone B4 in chromatin assembly.

1994 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 591-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Dimitrov ◽  
M C Dasso ◽  
A P Wolffe
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Sperm Nucleus ◽  
Linker Histone ◽  
Core Histone ◽  
Sperm Chromatin ◽  
Histone Phosphorylation ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Core Histones ◽  
Histone Octamers

We find that the remodeling of the condensed Xenopus laevis sperm nucleus into the paternal pronucleus in egg extracts is associated with phosphorylation of the core histones H2A, H2A.X and H4, and uptake of a linker histone B4 and a HMG 2 protein. Histone B4 is required for the assembly of chromatosome structures in the pronucleus. However neither B4 nor core histone phosphorylation are required for the assembly of spaced nucleosomal arrays. We suggest that the spacing of nucleosomal arrays is determined by interaction between adjacent histone octamers under physiological assembly conditions.

The Effects of Ultraviolet Irradiation on Uncleaved Eggs of Xenopus Laevis

1960 ◽  
Vol s3-101 (55) ◽  
pp. 299-311
Author(s):  
J. B. GURDON
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Ultraviolet Irradiation ◽  
Sperm Nucleus ◽  
Nuclear Transplantation ◽  
Vitelline Membrane ◽  
Nuclear Marker ◽  
Small Doses ◽  
Transplantation Experiments ◽  
Better Than

The effects are described of ultraviolet (u.v.) irradiation upon the eggs of Xenopus laevis. The results obtained apply to fertilized eggs and also to unfertilized eggs into which blastula nuclei have been transplanted. Eggs were irradiated up to 20 min after laying, for periods varying from 15 to 50 sec. The egg nucleus is completely inactivated by small doses of u.v. If fertilized eggs are used this gives rise to haploids, which the use of a nuclear marker has shown to be androgenetic. After irradiation the egg nucleus descends towards the centre of the egg, and comes to lie adjacent to the transplanted or sperm nucleus. At the first mitosis, however, it does not fuse but remains as a pycnotic clump in the centre of the spindle. Soon after this it disappears, without disintegrating into visible fragments. The transplanted or sperm nucleus appears to be unaffected by the irradiation and death of the egg nucleus. The egg cytoplasm does not appear to be damaged, even after doses of u.v. which are considerably more than sufficient to kill the egg nucleus. The main reasons for this belief are that haploids obtained by other means develop no better than those obtained by u.v. An increase of u.v. treatment from 30 to 80 sec results in no increase in abnormalities sustained. The jelly is broken down and the vitelline membrane weakened. This enables the egg to be penetrated by a micropipette without causing damage or preventing healing. This investigation was undertaken to facilitate the analysis of nuclear transplantation experiments in Xenopus. The increased penetrability of eggs is of technical value for this purpose. The interpretation of these experiments is greatly facilitated by the knowledge that the egg cytoplasm need not be damaged by the u.v. and that the egg nucleus is completely inactivated so as not to interfere with the development of the egg.

scholarly journals Immunological localization of a major karyoskeletal protein in nucleoli of oocytes and somatic cells of Xenopus laevis.

1982 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 749-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Krohne ◽  
R Stick ◽  
J A Kleinschmidt ◽  
R Moll ◽  
W W Franke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Xenopus Oocytes ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Nuclear Bodies ◽  
Core Complex ◽  
Antibody Staining ◽  
First Case ◽  
Strong Staining ◽  
Triton X ◽  
Peptide Maps

Oocyte nuclei of Xenopus laevis contain two major karyoskeletal proteins characterized by their resistance to extractions in high salt buffers and the detergent Triton X-100, i.e. a polypeptide of 68,000 mol wt which is located in the core complex-lamina structure and a polypeptide of 145,000 mol wt enriched in nucleolar fractions. Both proteins are also different by tryptic peptide maps and immunological determinants. Mouse antibodies were raised against insoluble karyoskeletal proteins from Xenopus oocytes and analyzed by immunoblotting procedures. Affinity purified antibodies were prepared using antigens bound to nitrocellulose paper. In immunofluorescence microscopy of Xenopus oocytes purified antibodies against the polypeptide of 145,000 mol wt showed strong staining of nucleoli, with higher concentration in the nucleolar cortex, and of smaller nucleoplasmic bodies. In various other cells including hepatocytes, Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and cultured kidney epithelial cells antibody staining was localized in small subnucleolar granules. The results support the conclusion that this "insoluble" protein is a major nucleus-specific protein which is specifically associated with--and characteristic of--nucleoli and certain nucleolus-related nuclear bodies. It represents the first case of a positive localization of a karyoskeletal protein in the nuclear interior, i.e. away from the pore complex-lamina structure of the nuclear cortex.

SEM of non-coated hepatocellular cytoskeleton of perfused livers

1984 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 306-307
Author(s):  
S.W. French ◽  
N.C. Benson ◽  
C. Davis-Scibienski
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Critical Point ◽  
Protease Inhibitors ◽  
Metal Deposition ◽  
Heat Damage ◽  
Detergent Extraction ◽  
Cytoskeletal Elements ◽  
Triton X ◽  
Excised Tissue

Previous SEM studies of liver cytoskeletal elements have encountered technical difficulties such as variable metal coating and heat damage which occurs during metal deposition. The majority of studies involving evaluation of the cell cytoskeleton have been limited to cells which could be isolated, maintained in culture as a monolayer and thus easily extracted. Detergent extraction of excised tissue by immersion has often been unsatisfactory beyond the depth of several cells. These disadvantages have been avoided in the present study. Whole C3H mouse livers were perfused in situ with 0.5% Triton X-100 in a modified Jahn's buffer including protease inhibitors. Perfusion was continued for 1 to 2 hours at ambient temperature. The liver was then perfused with a 2% buffered gluteraldehyde solution. Liver samples including spontaneous tumors were then maintained in buffered gluteraldehyde for 2 hours. Samples were processed for SEM and TEM using the modified thicarbohydrazide procedure of Malich and Wilson, cryofractured, and critical point dried (CPD). Some samples were mechanically fractured after CPD.

A High Resolution Cytochemical Study of Nuclear ATPase in Human Spermatozoa

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 594-595
Author(s):  
A. Sosa ◽  
L. Calzada
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Nuclear Membrane ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Sperm Nucleus ◽  
Human Spermatozoa ◽  
Cytochemical Study ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Sperm Nuclei ◽  
Interchromatin Space

The dependence of nuclear metabolism on the function of the nuclear membrane is not well understood. Whether or not the function of the nuclear membrane is partial or totally responsible of the repressed template activity of human sperm nucleus has not at present been elucidated. One of the membrane-bound enzymatic activities which is concerned with the mechanisms whereby substances are thought to cross cell membranes is adenosintriphosphatase (ATPase). This prompted its characterization and distribution by high resolution photogrammetry on isolated human sperm nuclei. Isolated human spermatozoa nuclei were obtained as previously described. ATPase activity was demonstrated by the method of Wachstein and Meisel modified by Marchesi and Palade. ATPase activity was identified as dense and irregularly distributed granules confined to the internal leaflet of the nuclear membrane. Within the nucleus the appearance of the reaction product occurs as homogenous and dense precipitates in the interchromatin space.

Androgen-induced plasticity at a “vocal” neuromuscular synapse

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 32-33
Author(s):  
Darcy B. Kelley ◽  
Martha L. Tobias ◽  
Mark Ellisman
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Sexual Differentiation ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Neuromuscular Synapse ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Intracellular Protein ◽  
Developmental Program ◽  
Androgen Action ◽  
Clawed Frog

Brain and muscle are sexually differentiated tissues in which masculinization is controlled by the secretion of androgens from the testes. Sensitivity to androgen is conferred by the expression of an intracellular protein, the androgen receptor. A central problem of sexual differentiation is thus to understand the cellular and molecular basis of androgen action. We do not understand how hormone occupancy of a receptor translates into an alteration in the developmental program of the target cell. Our studies on sexual differentiation of brain and muscle in Xenopus laevis are designed to explore the molecular basis of androgen induced sexual differentiation by examining how this hormone controls the masculinization of brain and muscle targets.Our approach to this problem has focused on a highly androgen sensitive, sexually dimorphic neuromuscular system: laryngeal muscles and motor neurons of the clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. We have been studying sex differences at a synapse, the laryngeal neuromuscular junction, which mediates sexually dimorphic vocal behavior in Xenopus laevis frogs.

Immunoelectrophoretic Analysis of Membrane Glycoproteins in Cultured Human Endothelial Cells

1990 ◽  
Vol 63 (02) ◽  
pp. 303-311
Author(s):  
Tone Børsum
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Rabbit Antiserum ◽  
Platelet Glycoprotein ◽  
Membrane Glycoproteins ◽  
Human Endothelial Cells ◽  
Immunoelectrophoretic Analysis ◽  
Glycoprotein Complex ◽  
Crossed Immunoelectrophoresis ◽  
Triton X

SummaryHuman endothelial cells isolated from umbilical cordswere solubilized in Triton X-100 and examined by crossedimmunoelec-trophoresis using rabbit antiserum against endothelial cells. Endogenous labelling of the endothelialcell proteins with 14Cmannose followed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis and autoradiography revealed about 10 immunoprecipitates. Four of these endothelial cell glycoproteins were labelled by lactoperoxidase catalyzed iodination and thus were surface located. Three of the surface located glycoproteins showed reduced electrophoretic mobility after incubation of the endothelial cells with neuraminidase and were therefore sialoglycoproteins. Amphiphilicity of endothelial cell glycoproteins was studied by crossed hydrophobic interaction immunoelectrophoresis with phenyl-Sepharose in the intermediate gel. Amphiphilic proteins also show increasing electrophoretic migration velocity with decreasing concentration of Triton X-100 in the first dimension gels. Five of the endothelial cell glycoproteins were shown to be amphiphilic using these two techniques.Two monoclonal antibodies against the platelet glycoprotein complex Ilb-IIIa and glycoprotein IlIa, respectively, reacted with the same precipitate of endothelial cells. When a polyclonal antibody against the platelet glycoprotein complex Ilb-IIIa was incorporated into the intermediate gel the position of two endothelial cell precipitates were lowered. One of these was a sialoglycoprotein.

The Uptake of Adenine by Isolated Human Platelet Membranes

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 (02/03) ◽  
pp. 457-464
Author(s):  
Paul C. French ◽  
Jan J. Sixma ◽  
Holm Holmsen
Keyword(s):  
Human Platelet ◽  
Facilitated Diffusion ◽  
Adenine Phosphoribosyltransferase ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Intact Cells ◽  
Platelet Membranes ◽  
Group Translocation ◽  
Triton X

SummaryAdenine uptake into isolated platelet membranes had about the same Km (151 ± 21 • 9 nM) as uptake into intact cells (159 ± 21 nM) and was also competitively inhibited by papaverine and hypoxanthine. No uptake occurred at 0° and accumulated adenine was converted to AMP. AMP was not firmly bound to protein as judged by chromatography of triton X-100 solubilized membranes on Sephadex G25. The pH optimum for adenine uptake was at pH 5-5. Exogenous 5-phosphoribosyl-l-pyrophos- phate strongly stimulated uptake. These data may be explained by uptake of adenine by facilitated diffusion followed by conversion to AMP by adenine phosphoribosyltransferase but group translocation cannot be entirely excluded.

Binding of Human Platelet Glycoprotein lb and Actin to Fragments of Actin-Binding Protein

1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (02) ◽  
pp. 252-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne M Aakhus ◽  
J Michael Wilkinson ◽  
Nils Olav Solum
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Platelet Glycoprotein ◽  
Actin Binding Protein ◽  
Crossed Immunoelectrophoresis ◽  
Triton X ◽  
Calpain Inhibitors

SummaryActin-binding protein (ABP) is degraded into fragments of 190 and 90 kDa by calpain. A monoclonal antibody (MAb TI10) against the 90 kDa fragment of ABP coprecipitated with the glycoprotein lb (GP lb) peak observed on crossed immunoelectrophoresis of Triton X-100 extracts of platelets prepared without calpain inhibitors. MAb PM6/317 against the 190 kDa fragment was not coprecipitated with the GP lb peak under such conditions. The 90 kDa fragment was adsorbed on protein A agarose from extracts that had been preincubated with antibodies to GP lb. This supports the idea that the GP Ib-ABP interaction resides in the 90 kDa region of ABP. GP lb was sedimented with the Triton-insoluble actin filaments in trace amounts only, and only after high speed centrifugation (100,000 × g, 3 h). Both the 190 kDa and the 90 kDa fragments of ABP were sedimented with the Triton-insoluble actin filaments.

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