Nuclear reconstitution of demembranated Orychophragmus violaceus sperm in Xenopus laevis egg extracts

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 623
Author(s):  
Ping LU
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Orychophragmus Violaceus ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Nuclear Reconstitution

scholarly journals Quantitative NMR analysis of the protein G B1 domain in Xenopus laevis egg extracts and intact oocytes

2006 ◽  
Vol 103 (32) ◽  
pp. 11904-11909 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Selenko ◽  
Z. Serber ◽  
B. Gadea ◽  
J. Ruderman ◽  
G. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Protein G ◽  
Nmr Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Nmr ◽  
B1 Domain ◽  
Egg Extracts

scholarly journals Bimodal Interaction of Mammalian Polo-Like Kinase 1 and a Centrosomal Scaffold, Cep192, in the Regulation of Bipolar Spindle Formation

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (15) ◽  
pp. 2626-2640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingjun Meng ◽  
Jung-Eun Park ◽  
Tae-Sung Kim ◽  
Eun Hye Lee ◽  
Suk-Youl Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
Mitotic Progression ◽  
Spindle Formation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Cultured Human Cells ◽  
Bipolar Spindles

Serving as microtubule-organizing centers, centrosomes play a key role in forming bipolar spindles. The mechanism of how centrosomes promote bipolar spindle assembly in various organisms remains largely unknown. A recent study withXenopus laevisegg extracts suggested that the Plk1 ortholog Plx1 interacts with the phospho-T46 (p-T46) motif ofXenopusCep192 (xCep192) to form an xCep192-mediated xAurA-Plx1 cascade that is critical for bipolar spindle formation. Here, we demonstrated that in cultured human cells, Cep192 recruits AurA and Plk1 in a cooperative manner, and this event is important for the reciprocal activation of AurA and Plk1. Strikingly, Plk1 interacted with Cep192 through either the p-T44 (analogous toXenopusp-T46) or the newly identified p-S995 motif via its C-terminal noncatalytic polo-box domain. The interaction between Plk1 and the p-T44 motif was prevalent in the presence of Cep192-bound AurA, whereas the interaction of Plk1 with the p-T995 motif was preferred in the absence of AurA binding. Notably, the loss of p-T44- and p-S995-dependent Cep192-Plk1 interactions induced an additive defect in recruiting Plk1 and γ-tubulin to centrosomes, which ultimately led to a failure in proper bipolar spindle formation and mitotic progression. Thus, we propose that Plk1 promotes centrosome-based bipolar spindle formation by forming two functionally nonredundant complexes with Cep192.

The NIMA-related kinase X-Nek2B is required for efficient assembly of the zygotic centrosome in Xenopus laevis

2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (11) ◽  
pp. 1973-1984 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Fry ◽  
P. Descombes ◽  
C. Twomey ◽  
R. Bacchieri ◽  
E.A. Nigg
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Basal Body ◽  
Chromatin Condensation ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Serine Threonine Kinase ◽  
Cell Cycles ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Mammalian Cell Cycle ◽  
Egg Extracts

Nek2 is a mammalian cell cycle-regulated serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the family of proteins related to NIMA of Aspergillus nidulans. Functional studies in diverse species have implicated NIMA-related kinases in G(2)/M progression, chromatin condensation and centrosome regulation. To directly address the requirements for vertebrate Nek2 kinases in these cell cycle processes, we have turned to the biochemically-tractable system provided by Xenopus laevis egg extracts. Following isolation of a Xenopus homologue of Nek2, called X-Nek2B, we found that X-Nek2B abundance and activity remained constant through the first mitotic cycle implying a fundamental difference in Nek2 regulation between embryonic and somatic cell cycles. Removal of X-Nek2B from extracts did not disturb either entry into mitosis or the accompanying condensation of chromosomes providing no support for a requirement for Nek2 in these processes at least in embryonic cells. In contrast, X-Nek2B localized to centrosomes of adult Xenopus cells and was rapidly recruited to the basal body of Xenopus sperm following incubation in egg extracts. Recruitment led to phosphorylation of the X-Nek2B kinase. Most importantly, depletion of X-Nek2B from extracts significantly delayed both the assembly of microtubule asters and the recruitment of gamma-tubulin to the basal body. Hence, these studies demonstrate that X-Nek2B is required for efficient assembly of a functional zygotic centrosome and highlight the possibility of multiple roles for vertebrate Nek2 kinases in the centrosome cycle.

scholarly journals Histone H1 is essential for mitotic chromosome architecture and segregation in Xenopus laevis egg extracts

2005 ◽  
Vol 169 (6) ◽  
pp. 859-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Maresca ◽  
Benjamin S. Freedman ◽  
Rebecca Heald
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Metaphase Plate ◽  
Histone H1 ◽  
Linker Histone ◽  
Chromosome Architecture ◽  
Linker Histone H1 ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Chromatin Proteins ◽  
And Function

During cell division, condensation and resolution of chromosome arms and the assembly of a functional kinetochore at the centromere of each sister chromatid are essential steps for accurate segregation of the genome by the mitotic spindle, yet the contribution of individual chromatin proteins to these processes is poorly understood. We have investigated the role of embryonic linker histone H1 during mitosis in Xenopus laevis egg extracts. Immunodepletion of histone H1 caused the assembly of aberrant elongated chromosomes that extended off the metaphase plate and outside the perimeter of the spindle. Although functional kinetochores assembled, aligned, and exhibited poleward movement, long and tangled chromosome arms could not be segregated in anaphase. Histone H1 depletion did not significantly affect the recruitment of known structural or functional chromosomal components such as condensins or chromokinesins, suggesting that the loss of H1 affects chromosome architecture directly. Thus, our results indicate that linker histone H1 plays an important role in the structure and function of vertebrate chromosomes in mitosis.

scholarly journals Inhibition of protein synthesis in frog (Xenopus laevis) egg extracts by an antibody against phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

1996 ◽  
Vol 317 (3) ◽  
pp. 643-646
Author(s):  
Thomas J. KEATING ◽  
Kiyoko FUKAMI ◽  
Kenneth R. ROBINSON
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Similar Reduction ◽  
Inhibition Of Protein Synthesis ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

The antibody kt10, which is directed against the phospholipid PtdIns(4,5)P2, inhibits protein synthesis when added to cytosolic extracts prepared from frog eggs. Addition of stable analogues of diacylglycerol and Ins(1,4,5)P3 failed to rescue the inhibition of translation, suggesting that the effect of the antibody was not to block hydrolysis of PtdIns(4,5)P2. Neomycin, which also binds PtdIns(4,5)P2, produced a similar reduction in protein-synthesis levels in the extract system, supporting the idea that it is the interaction of the antibody with PtdIns(4,5)P2 that is producing the effect.

scholarly journals Hepatoma Up-Regulated Protein Is Required for Chromatin-induced Microtubule Assembly Independently of TPX2

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 4900-4908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia M. Casanova ◽  
Sofia Rybina ◽  
Hideki Yokoyama ◽  
Eric Karsenti ◽  
Iain W. Mattaj
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Microtubule Stabilization ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Spindle Midzone ◽  
Microtubule Growth ◽  
Spindle Microtubules

The production of RanGTP around chromosomes is crucial for spindle microtubule assembly in mitosis. Previous work has shown that hepatoma up-regulated protein (HURP) is a Ran target, required for microtubule stabilization and spindle organization. Here we report a detailed analysis of HURP function in Xenopus laevis mitotic egg extracts. HURP depletion severely impairs bipolar spindle assembly around chromosomes: the few spindles that do form show a significant decrease in microtubule density at the spindle midzone. HURP depletion does not interfere with microtubule growth from purified centrosomes, but completely abolishes microtubule assembly induced by chromatin beads or RanGTP. Simultaneous depletion of the microtubule destabilizer MCAK with HURP does not rescue the phenotype, demonstrating that the effect of HURP is not to antagonize the destabilization activity of MCAK. Although the phenotype of HURP depletion closely resembles that reported for TPX2 depletion, we find no evidence that TPX2 and HURP physically interact or that they influence each other in their effects on spindle microtubules. Our data indicate that HURP and TPX2 have nonredundant functions essential for chromatin-induced microtubule assembly.

Repair of psoralen interstrand cross-links in Xenopus laevis egg extracts is highly mutagenic

2005 ◽  
Vol 336 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Lu ◽  
Nianxiang Zhang ◽  
Karen Vasquez ◽  
Michelle Barton ◽  
Randy Legerski
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Interstrand Cross Links ◽  
Cross Links

scholarly journals Mitotic Effects of a Constitutively Active Mutant of the Xenopus Polo-Like Kinase Plx1

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 8625-8632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue-Wei Qian ◽  
Eleanor Erikson ◽  
James L. Maller
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Aspartic Acid ◽  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Cyclin B ◽  
Interphase Nuclei ◽  
Aspartic Acid Residue ◽  
Early Embryos ◽  
M Phase ◽  
Egg Extracts

ABSTRACT During mitosis the Xenopus polo-like kinase 1 (Plx1) plays key roles in the activation of Cdc25C, in spindle assembly, and in cyclin B degradation. Previous work has shown that the activation of Plx1 requires phosphorylation on serine and threonine residues. In the present work, we demonstrate that replacement of Ser-128 or Thr-201 with a negatively charged aspartic acid residue (S128D or T201D) elevates Plx1 activity severalfold and that replacement of both Ser-128 and Thr-201 with Asp residues (S128D/T201D) increases Plx1 activity approximately 40-fold. Microinjection of mRNA encoding S128D/T201D Plx1 into Xenopus oocytes induced directly the activation of both Cdc25C and cyclin B-Cdc2. In egg extracts T201D Plx1 delayed the timing of deactivation of Cdc25C during exit from M phase and accelerated Cdc25C activation during entry into M phase. This supports the concept that Plx1 is a “trigger” kinase for the activation of Cdc25C during the G2/M transition. In addition, during anaphase T201D Plx1 reduced preferentially the degradation of cyclin B2 and delayed the reduction in Cdc2 histone H1 kinase activity. In early embryos S128D/T201D Plx1 resulted in arrest of cleavage and formation of multiple interphase nuclei. Consistent with these results, Plx1 was found to be localized on centrosomes at prophase, on spindles at metaphase, and at the midbody during cytokinesis. These results demonstrate that in Xenopus laevis activation of Plx1 is sufficient for the activation of Cdc25C at the initiation of mitosis and that inactivation of Plx1 is required for complete degradation of cyclin B2 after anaphase and completion of cytokinesis.

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