Dynamics of microtubules, motor proteins and 20S proteasomes during bovine oocyte IVM

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 304 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Racedo ◽  
M. C. Branzini ◽  
D. Salamone ◽  
C. Wójcik ◽  
V. Y. Rawe ◽  
...  

The present study investigated the distribution of cytoplasmic dynein, dynactin and 20S proteasomes in oocytes isolated from small (<2 mm) and large (2–8 mm) follicles during IVM. Immediately after chromatin condensation (germinal vesicle (GV) breakdown), dynactin was closely associated with the chromatin and interacted with tubulin at the MI and MII spindles in oocytes recovered from large follicles. Dynactin showed perinuclear concentration. Dynein was homogeneously distributed in the cytoplasm of GV oocytes in both groups and was associated with the chromatin at the MI and MII spindle. The 20S proteasomes were found predominantly in the nucleus at the GV stage and were associated with the chromatin up to the MII stage in both groups of oocytes. The use of sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor or phosphatase and ATPase activity, and nocodazole, a known disruptor of microtubules, affected the localisation of proteasomes in the meiotic stages. The results demonstrate the distinct dynamics of molecular motors and proteasomes during bovine oocyte IVM, their possible relationship with the developmental competence of the oocyte and the link between microtubules, their associated molecular motors and the transport of proteasomes during bovine female meiosis.

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 225
Author(s):  
S. E. Racedo ◽  
V. Y. Rawe ◽  
H. Niemann

The process of maturation encompasses a complex series of molecular and structural events. Completion of the nuclear changes to produce a metaphase II (MII) oocyte does not reflect the molecular and structural maturity of an oocyte, which is sometimes termed cytoplasmic maturation. The Golgi apparatus phosphorylates, fragments, and changes the localization during oocyte maturation. GM130 and phospho-GM130 are used as markers for the Golgi apparatus and phosphorylated Golgi apparatus, respectively. The goal of this study was to analyze the dynamics of the Golgi apparatus and its association with microtubules in bovine oocytes at different stages of in vitro maturation [IVM; i.e. germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), metaphase I (MI), and MII]. The roles of CDC2A kinase (also known as p34cdc2) and cytoplasmic-dynein ATPase on Golgi dynamics were studied by using specific inhibitors. The distribution of the markers was assessed by immunocytochemistry and laser confocal microscopy. To unravel the role of CDC2A and cytoplasmic dynein ATPase on the dynamics of the Golgi apparatus, the inhibitors roscovitine (ROS) and sodium-orthovanadate (SOV), respectively, were used. In the first experiment, the nuclear maturation rate was checked in the presence of the inhibitors at different times and for different incubation times to explore whether oocytes were able to reach the MII stage. At the GV and GVBD stages, the Golgi apparatus is observed as fragments named mini-Golgies and at the MI and MII stages as punctate foci throughout the cytoplasm. Our results showed 2 well-defined movements of the Golgi apparatus toward opposite directions, depending on the maturation stage. The first movement was observed between 5 and 9 h of IVM (i.e. the GVBD stage), when the Golgi apparatus relocalized from the ooplasm to the periphery. The second movement was observed between 9 and 15 h of IVM (i.e. the MI stage), when the Golgi apparatus moved from the cortex to throughout the cytoplasm and remained there up to the MII stage. The use of inhibitors on CDC2A and cytoplasmic-dynein ATPase at selected time points revealed that CDC2A played a crucial role on the distribution of this organelle during the first movement, whereas the final localization at the GVBD stage was dependent on cytoplasmic-dynein transport. The second movement of the Golgi apparatus was disturbed by the SOV treatment, but not by the use of ROS, suggesting a role of cytoplasmic-dynein-dependent transport during the distribution and organization of the punctate foci at the MI stage. The phosphorylation status of Golgi was not affected at the different incubation times with inhibitors, except in those oocytes incubated with ROS for 24 h, suggesting a role of CDC2A. In conclusion, we describe the involvement of CDC2A during the first movement of the Golgi apparatus and the importance of cytoplasmic-dynein ATPase activity in the first and second relocalization of Golgi during bovine oocyte maturation. DAAD.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenwei Jia ◽  
Xueli Wang

Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on meiotic arrest and developmental competence of bovine oocyte derived from follicles of different sizes. Collected immature cumulus-oocyte complexes from small follicles (< 3 mm) and medium follicles (3–8 mm) were cultured for 6 h in basal medium supplementated without or with 200 nM CNP. We observed that CNP effectively sustained meiotic arrest at germinal vesicle stage in in vitro cultured bovine oocytes from follicles of different sizes. Moreover, CNP treatment significantly improved the levels of cGMP in both cumulus cells and oocytes, as well as the levels of cAMP in oocytes regardless of follicle size. Based on the above results, we tested the effect of a novel in vitro maturation (IVM) system based on CNP-pretreatment, including a pre-IVM phase for 6 h using 200 nM CNP, followed by a extended IVM phase for 28 h, on developmental competence of bovine oocyte derived from small follicles (< 3 mm) and medium follicles (3–8 mm) compared to standard IVM system. The results showed that athough the novel IVM system based on CNP-pretreatment enhanced the developmental potencial of oocytes obtained from large follicles, but had no effect on the developmental comptence of oocytes obtained from small follicles.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 294
Author(s):  
V. Lodde ◽  
C. Galbusera ◽  
S. Modina ◽  
M.S. Beretta ◽  
A. Lauria ◽  
...  

Chromatin configuration in the germinal vesicle (GV) undergoes dynamic changes during oocyte growth, and the progressive chromatin condensation has been related to the acquisition of embryonic developmental potential. However, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate chromatin remodeling. In immature mouse oocytes, chromatin condensation and redistribution around the nucleolus are associated with transcriptional repression in both in vivo-derived and in vitro-cultured oocytes in the presence of an intact cumulus oophorus (de la Fuente et al. 2001 Dev. Biol. 229, 224). It is widely accepted that oocyte communication with the somatic cell compartment is essential for both oocyte growth and acquisition of meiotic competence (Eppig et al. 1997 Hum. Reprod. 12, 127). In particular, cumulus cells play an active role in modulating the levels of transcription in the nucleoplasm and in perinuclear domains as well as in chromatin configuration of GV stage oocytes. In cattle, a heterogeneous population of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) has been found after isolation from the follicle, and this is characterized by a different functional degree of gap junction-mediated communication (Luciano et al. 2004 Biol. Reprod. 70, 465). This study was aimed at investigating the possible correlation between the chromatin configuration of immature bovine oocytes and the status of communication between the oocyte and cumulus cells, and oocyte developmental competence. In the first experiment, 138 COCs, isolated from follicles 2–6 mm in diameter, were injected with a 3% solution of Lucifer Yellow to assess the communication status between oocytes and cumulus cells. Successively, COCs were freed of cells, and denuded oocytes (DOs) were stained with Hoechst 33342 to determine the chromatin configuration. In a second experiment, 330 COCs were denuded and stained with Hoechst 33342 in order to assess chromatin configuration and then matured in vitro according to their GV stage. After IVM, DOs were fertilized, and presumptive zygotes were cultured for 7 days at which time blastocyst rate was assessed. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD test. Three stages of GV oocytes were identified: GVI, with filamentous chromatin distributed in the nucleoplasm; GVII, with chromatin condensed into thick clumps; and GVIII, with chromatin condensed into a single clump. The GVIII stage showed a lower proportion of functional open communication than the GVI and GVII groups (8.5 vs. 45.7 and 46.1, respectively, P < 0.05). However, when compared with each other, the GVI stage oocytes showed lower embryonic developmental competence (12.9 in GVI vs. 22.1 and 24.2 in GVII and GVIII, respectively, P < 0.05). Our findings indicate that the status of communication between oocytes and cumulus cells could be related to the chromatin organization in immature bovine oocytes. A direct correlation between the communications grade, the modulation of oocyte transcriptional activity, and the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence remain to be confirmed. This work was supported by a 2003 UniMi Grant.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
S. E. Racedo ◽  
M. C. Branzini ◽  
D. Salamone ◽  
V. Y. Rawe ◽  
H. Niemann

Microtubule molecular motors are critically involved in transporting vesicles during interphase, in building and maintaining spindles during mitosis and meiosis, and also in the localization of various organelles. DYNC1I1 (cytoplasmic dynein 1 intermediate chain) and its cofactor DCTN1 (dynactin p150Glued) are crucial for oocyte maturation but their role during mammalian female meiosis is not yet known. The goal of this study was to analyze the dynamics of these proteins in oocytes collected from different-size follicles at different stages of in vitro maturation (IVM), i.e., germinal vesicle stage (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), metaphase I (MI), and metaphase II (MII), and their association with microtubules. Ovaries were collected at a local abattoir. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from follicles either <2 mm or 2–8 mm in size and matured in M199, supplemented with 1% fatty acid-free BSA, 10 UI pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)/5 UI HCG, and 100 µm cysteamine, at 39�C and 5% CO2. Follicle sizes and time points for fixation were: GV-0 h; GVBD-8 h for oocytes <2 mm and 9 h for oocytes 2–8 mm; MI-15 h; MII-24 h (Racedo et al. 2007, pub. online: 10.1002/mrd.20770). The distribution of the proteins was assessed by immunocytochemistry and laser confocal microscopy. The attached cumulus cells and zona pellucida of oocytes were removed in TALP-HEPES medium containing 1 mg mL–1 hyaluronidase and 2 mg mL–1 pronase, respectively. The oocytes were then incubated in a fixation–permeabilization solution containing 2% formaldehyde and 0.1%Triton X-100 for 1 h. Samples were then blocked for 1 h in 10 mm PBS + 0.3% BSA + 1% fetal calf serum (ICC blocking solution). The primary antibody was applied over night at 4�C, followed by treatment with fluorochrome-conjugated secondary antibodies for 1 h at 37�C in the dark. After RNase treatment, oocytes were incubated with TOTO-3 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) to visualize the DNA. The material was mounted in an anti-fade medium (Vectashield�, Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA, USA) and imaged with a Zeiss laser scanning microscope. Immediately after chromatin condensation (GVBD), dynactin was in close association with the DNA and interacting with the spindles in MI and MII oocytes recovered from large follicles. No clear association with the DNA was observed in GVBD oocytes obtained from small follicles; little dynactin was found in MI and MII spindles. Dynein localization did not differ from dynactin in GVs and was homogeneously distributed in the cytoplasm of both groups of follicles. Dynein was not associated with the DNA in the GVBD stage while at MI and MII it was associated with the meiotic spindle. The association of dynein with microtubules was weak at the MI stage in oocytes from small follicles. Results provide insight into the regulatory mechanisms of oocyte maturation and a possible relationship with oocyte competence.


Reproduction ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Zhang ◽  
Shen Yin ◽  
Man-Xi Jiang ◽  
Wei Ma ◽  
Yi Hou ◽  
...  

The present study was designed to investigate the localization and function of cytoplasmic dynein (dynein) during mouse oocyte meiosis and its relationship with two major spindle checkpoint proteins, mitotic arrest-deficient (Mad) 1 and Mad2. Oocytes at various stages during the first meiosis were fixed and immunostained for dynein, Mad1, Mad2, kinetochores, microtubules, and chromosomes. Some oocytes were treated with nocodazole before examination. Anti-dynein antibody was injected into the oocytes at germinal vesicle (GV) stage before the examination of its effects on meiotic progression or Mad1 and Mad2 localization. Results showed that dynein was present in the oocytes at various stages from GV to metaphase II and the locations of Mad1 and Mad2 were associated with dynein’s movement. Both Mad1 and Mad2 had two existing states: one existed in the cytoplasm (cytoplasmic Mad1 or cytoplasmic Mad2), which did not bind to kinetochores, while the other bound to kinetochores (kinetochore Mad1 or kinetochore Mad2). The equilibrium between the two states varied during meiosis and/or in response to the changes of the connection between microtubules and kinetochores. Cytoplasmic Mad1 and Mad2 recruited to chromosomes when the connection between microtubules and chromosomes was destroyed. Inhibition of dynein interferes with cytoplasmic Mad1 and Mad2 transportation from chromosomes to spindle poles, thus inhibits checkpoint silence and delays anaphase onset. These results indicate that dynein may play a role in spindle checkpoint inactivation.


1999 ◽  
Vol 144 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory J. Pazour ◽  
Bethany L. Dickert ◽  
George B. Witman

Dyneins are microtubule-based molecular motors involved in many different types of cell movement. Most dynein heavy chains (DHCs) clearly group into cytoplasmic or axonemal isoforms. However, DHC1b has been enigmatic. To learn more about this isoform, we isolated Chlamydomonas cDNA clones encoding a portion of DHC1b, and used these clones to identify a Chlamydomonas cell line with a deletion mutation in DHC1b. The mutant grows normally and appears to have a normal Golgi apparatus, but has very short flagella. The deletion also results in a massive redistribution of raft subunits from a peri-basal body pool (Cole, D.G., D.R. Diener, A.L. Himelblau, P.L. Beech, J.C. Fuster, and J.L. Rosenbaum. 1998. J. Cell Biol. 141:993–1008) to the flagella. Rafts are particles that normally move up and down the flagella in a process known as intraflagellar transport (IFT) (Kozminski, K.G., K.A. Johnson, P. Forscher, and J.L. Rosenbaum. 1993. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 90:5519–5523), which is essential for assembly and maintenance of flagella. The redistribution of raft subunits apparently occurs due to a defect in the retrograde component of IFT, suggesting that DHC1b is the motor for retrograde IFT. Consistent with this, Western blots indicate that DHC1b is present in the flagellum, predominantly in the detergent- and ATP-soluble fractions. These results indicate that DHC1b is a cytoplasmic dynein essential for flagellar assembly, probably because it is the motor for retrograde IFT.


Zygote ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Iwata ◽  
T. Hayashi ◽  
H. Sato ◽  
K. Kimura ◽  
T. Kuwayama ◽  
...  

During ovary storage oocytes lose some of their developmental competence. In the present study, we maintained storage solutions of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at various temperatures (20 or 35 °C) or supplemented them with magnesium (Mg), raffinose and sucrose. Subsequently, we examined the kinetics of electrolytes in the follicular fluid (FF) during the ovary storage period (9h), the survival rate of granulosa cells in the follicles, and the developmental competence of oocytes after the storage. Lowering the temperature from 35 to 20 °C increased the total cell number of blastocysts that developed at 7 days after in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization of oocytes. In stock solution with supplements of 15 mM Mg or a combination of 5 mM Mg and 10 mM raffinose or sucrose, a significantly higher number of oocytes developed into blastocysts with a large number of cells in each blastocyst, and a significantly higher number of living granulosa cells were obtained as compared with stock solutions without any supplements. During ovary storage, the concentrations of potassium and chloride in the FF were increased, and the addition of Mg to the stock solution increased the concentration of Mg in the FF. Germinal vesicle breakdown in oocytes that were collected from ovaries stored in the solution supplemented with 15 mM Mg or a combination of 5 mM Mg and 10 mM of raffinose occurred at a slower rate than that in oocytes collected from ovaries stored in PBS alone. On the other hand, the oocytes collected from ovaries stored in the solution supplemented with 15 mM Mg or a combination of 5 mM Mg and 10 mM raffinose reached the metaphase II (MII) stage more rapidly than the oocytes collected from ovaries stored in the PBS alone. In conclusion, the modification of stock solution by the addition of Mg and raffinose improved the developmental competence of oocytes obtained from ovaries preserved for a long period.


1998 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Huyett ◽  
J. Kahana ◽  
P. Silver ◽  
X. Zeng ◽  
W.S. Saunders

Microtubules provide the substrate for intracellular trafficking by association with molecular motors of the kinesin and dynein superfamilies. Motor proteins are generally thought to function as force generating units for transport of various cargoes along the microtubule polymer. Recent work suggests additional roles for motor proteins in changing the structure of the microtubule network itself. We report here that in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae microtubule motors have antagonistic effects on microtubule numbers and lengths. As shown previously, loss of the Kar3p motor stimulates cytoplasmic microtubule growth while loss of Kip2p leads to a sharp reduction in cytoplasmic microtubule numbers. Loss of both the Kip2p and Kar3p motors together in the same cell produces an intermediate phenotype, suggesting that these two motors act in opposition to control cytoplasmic microtubule density. A Kip2p-GFP fusion from single gene expression is most concentrated at the spindle poles, as shown previously for an epitope tagged Kar3p-HA, suggesting both of these motors act from the minus ends of the microtubules to influence microtubule numbers.


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