Morphogenetic Interactions before Gastrulation in the Amphibian, Xenopus laevis—the Cortical Field

Development ◽  
1962 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-422
Author(s):  
A. S. G. Curtis
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Morphogenetic Factors ◽  
Xenopus Egg ◽  
Cortical Field ◽  
Development Proceeds

Although the main visible forms of morphogenesis commence at gastrulation it is of great interest to discover whether they are preceded by a series of preparatory changes just as essential to development, although they have no immediately visible effects. When Dalcq & Pasteels (1937) proposed the hypothesis that the cortex and yolk respectively contained morphogenetic factors which determine the main structural features of the embryo, they did not suggest when or how these factors act. I have described a method (Curtis, 1960) for grafting portions of the cortex of the Xenopus egg from one egg to another, and by its use was able to confirm that parts at least of the cortex contain a morphogenetic factor. In the present work this technique has been used to make grafts between the cortex of embryonic cells of varying ages in order to discover whether the cortex alters its morphogenetic properties as development proceeds.

Development of the Xenopus laevis hatching gland and its relationship to surface ectoderm patterning

Development ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.A. Drysdale ◽  
R.P. Elinson
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Tyrosine Hydroxylase ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Ciliated Cells ◽  
Surface Ectoderm ◽  
Gland Cells ◽  
The Face ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Development Proceeds ◽  
Hatching Gland

An antibody that recognizes tyrosine hydroxylase can be used as a marker for hatching gland cells in Xenopus embryos. Using this marker, we have shown that hatching gland cells are induced at the end of gastrulation and that presumptive hatching gland cells are localized to the anterior neural folds in Xenopus. The movements of neurulation bring the hatching gland cells together to form a characteristic Y pattern on the dorsoanterior surface of the head. The Y pattern delineates several zones of surface ectoderm which can be visualized by the presence or absence of ciliated cells. As development proceeds the hatching gland pattern is altered, demonstrating the active changes involved in forming the face. Lithium, UV irradiation and retinoic acid can be used to alter the hatching gland pattern in specific ways which help to understand the underlying mechanisms of ectodermal patterning.

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.

Circus movements and blebbing locomotion in dissociated embryonic cells of an amphibian, Xenopus laevis

1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-583
Author(s):  
K.E. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Isolated Cells ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Cytoplasmic Protrusion ◽  
Endodermal Cells ◽  
In Cells

Circus movements, which involve the circumferential rotation of a hyaline cytoplasmic protrusion, occur in cells obtained by EDTA dissociation of gastrula-stage Xenopus laevis embryos. Only a few dissociated blastula-stage cells show circus movements, more early gastrula-stage cells show them, and nearly all late gastrula-stage cells show them. Circus movements cease in cells prior to mitosis and begin again in daughter cells after mitosis is completed. In early gastrulae, only 17% of prospective endodermal cells show circus movements while 79% of prospective mesodern, archenteric roof, and posterior neural ectoderm do so. Isolated cells as well as groups of cells in vitro are often propelled by circus movements. There is an obvious antagonism between cell contact and circus movements. The morphogenetic significance of circus movements and blebbing locomotion is discussed.

Electron microscopic studies on the structure of motile primordial germ cells of Xenopus laevis in vitro

Development ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-133
Author(s):  
Janet Heasman ◽  
C. C. Wylie
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Microscopic Studies

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) of Xenopus laevis have been isolated from early embryos and kept alive in vitro, in order to study the structural basis of their motility, using the transmission and scanning electron microscope. The culture conditions used mimicked as closely as possible the in vivo environment of migrating PGCs, in that isolated PGCs were seeded onto monolayers of amphibian mesentery cells. In these conditions we have demonstrated that: (a) No significant differences were found between the morphology of PGCs in vitro and in vivo. (b) Structural features involved in PGC movement in vitro include (i) the presence of a filamentous substructure, (ii) filopodial and blunt cell processes, (iii) cell surface specializations. These features are also characteristic of migratory PGCs studied in vivo. (c) PGCs in vitro have powers of invasion similar to those of migrating PGCs in vivo. They occasionally become completely surrounded by cells of the monolayer and, in this situation, bear striking resemblance to PGCs moving between mesentery cells to the site of the developing gonad in stage-44 tadpoles. We conclude that as far as it is possible to assess, the behaviour of isolated PGCs in these in vitro conditions mimics their activities in vivo. This allows us to study the ultrastructural basis of their migration.

scholarly journals The three-dimensional genome organization of Drosophila melanogaster through data integration

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingjiao Li ◽  
Harianto Tjong ◽  
Xiao Li ◽  
Ke Gong ◽  
Xianghong Jasmine Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Data Integration ◽  
Genome Organization ◽  
Genome Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Chromosome Conformation ◽  
Topological Domains

Abstract Background Genome structures are dynamic and non-randomly organized in the nucleus of higher eukaryotes. To maximize the accuracy and coverage of three-dimensional genome structural models, it is important to integrate all available sources of experimental information about a genome’s organization. It remains a major challenge to integrate such data from various complementary experimental methods. Here, we present an approach for data integration to determine a population of complete three-dimensional genome structures that are statistically consistent with data from both genome-wide chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) and lamina-DamID experiments. Results Our structures resolve the genome at the resolution of topological domains, and reproduce simultaneously both sets of experimental data. Importantly, this data deconvolution framework allows for structural heterogeneity between cells, and hence accounts for the expected plasticity of genome structures. As a case study we choose Drosophila melanogaster embryonic cells, for which both data types are available. Our three-dimensional genome structures have strong predictive power for structural features not directly visible in the initial data sets, and reproduce experimental hallmarks of the D. melanogaster genome organization from independent and our own imaging experiments. Also they reveal a number of new insights about genome organization and its functional relevance, including the preferred locations of heterochromatic satellites of different chromosomes, and observations about homologous pairing that cannot be directly observed in the original Hi-C or lamina-DamID data. Conclusions Our approach allows systematic integration of Hi-C and lamina-DamID data for complete three-dimensional genome structure calculation, while also explicitly considering genome structural variability.

Structure and expression of ribosomal protein genes in Xenopus laevis

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 969-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Amaldi ◽  
Olga Camacho-Vanegas ◽  
Francesco Cecconi ◽  
Fabrizio Loreni ◽  
Beatrice Cardinali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Ribosomal Protein ◽  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
Translational Regulation ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Ribosomal Protein Genes ◽  
Translation Apparatus ◽  
And Function

In Xenopus laevis, as well as in other vertebrates, ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) are coded by a class of genes that share some organizational and structural features. One of these, also common to genes coding for other proteins involved in the translation apparatus synthesis and function, is the presence within their introns of sequences coding for small nucleolar RNAs. Another feature is the presence of common structures, mainly in the regions surrounding the 5′ ends, involved in their coregulated expression. This is attained at various regulatory levels: transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and translational. Particular attention is given here to regulation at the translational level, which has been studied during Xenopus oogenesis and embryogenesis and also during nutritional changes of Xenopus cultured cells. This regulation, which responds to the cellular need for new ribosomes, operates by changing the fraction of rp-mRNA (ribosomal protein mRNA) engaged on polysomes. A typical 5′ untranslated region characterizing all vertebrate rp-mRNAs analyzed to date is responsible for this translational behaviour: it is always short and starts with an 8–12 nucleotide polypyrimidine tract. This region binds in vitro some proteins that can represent putative trans-acting factors for this translational regulation.Key words: ribosomal proteins, snoRNA, translational regulation, Xenopus laevis.

scholarly journals Activation of frog (Xenopus laevis) eggs by inositol trisphosphate. I. Characterization of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores.

1985 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 677-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
W B Busa ◽  
J E Ferguson ◽  
S K Joseph ◽  
J R Williamson ◽  
R Nuccitelli
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Cortical Granule ◽  
Inositol 1 ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Xenopus Egg ◽  
Cortical Granule Exocytosis ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Timing Sensitivity ◽  
Early Developmental

Iontophoresis of inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate into frog (Xenopus laevis) eggs activated early developmental events such as membrane depolarization, cortical contraction, cortical granule exocytosis, and abortive cleavage furrow formation (pseudocleavage). Inositol 1, 4-bisphosphate also triggered these events, but only at doses approximately 100-fold higher, whereas no level of fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate tested activated eggs. Using Ca2+-selective microelectrodes, we observed that activating doses of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate triggered a Ca2+ release from intracellular stores that was indistinguishable from that previously observed at fertilization (Busa, W. B., and R. Nuccitelli, 1985, J. Cell Biol., 100:1325-1329), whereas subthreshold doses triggered only a localized Ca2+ release at the site of injection. The subthreshold IP3 response could be distinguished from the major Ca2+ release at activation with respect to their dose-response characteristics, relative timing, sensitivity to external Ca2+ levels, additivity, and behavior in the activated egg, suggesting that the Xenopus egg may possess two functionally distinct Ca2+ pools mobilized by different effectors. In light of these differences, we suggest a model for intracellular Ca2+ mobilization by sperm-egg interaction.

121 DEMETHYLATION OF MAMMALIAN SOMATIC DNA BY XENOPUS EGG AND OOCYTE EXTRACTS

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
Y. Bian ◽  
R. Alberio ◽  
A. Johnson ◽  
K. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Donor Cell ◽  
Dna Demethylation ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocyte ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Xenopus Egg

In mammals, the successful development of live offspring by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has demonstrated the ability of oocyte or egg cytoplasm to reprogram the differentiated status of somatic DNA. However, the efficiency of development is low, and this has been attributed to incomplete or inappropriate reprogramming of epigenetic status. One such epigenetic marker is methylation of genomic DNA at CpG islands. In SCNT, derived embryo abnormal DNA methylation patterns have been reported by a number of groups; in particular, it has been observed that the methylation pattern of embryonic cells resembles that of the donor cell (Santos et al. 2003 Curr. Biol. 13, 1116-1121). One strategy to improve reprogramming and, hence, development is to erase or reprogram the epigenetic status of the donor cell prior to nuclear transfer. We have previously reported that Xenopus egg and oocyte extracts show a differential effect on transcription. In oocyte extracts Pol I and II transcripts are maintained in the somatic cells; in egg extracts, these are abolished (Alberio et al. 2005 Exp. Cell. Res. 307, 131-141). To extend these studies, we have investigated the ability of oocyte and egg extracts to demethylate bovine somatic DNA. Preparation of Xenopus oocyte and egg extracts, culture, permeabilization of donor cells, and incubation conditions were all as previously described (Alberio et al. 2005 Exp. Cell. Res. 307, 131-141). Cells were incubated in extracts for 1 and 3 h at 21�C, centrifuged onto glass slides fixed in 4% Para formaldehyde for 15 min, followed by 4 M HCL for 1 h at 39�C, and blocked for 1 h. Cells were stained with mouse monoclonal anti-1MeC (1:50) overnight at 4�C followed by FITC-conjugated goat anti-mouse antibody (1:20) for 1 h at room temperature and mounted in Vectashied containing 10 �g of propidium iodide/mL. Nuclei were scored as positive or negative for 5MeC staining. In control cells, 90% of nuclei stained positively for 5MeC. In both oocyte and egg extracts the number of positive nuclei decreased with time showing demethylation of the somatic DNA 68 and 58% and 38 and 42% positive, respectively, after 1 and 3 h of incubation. Addition of apyrase (2%) to hydrolyze ATP inhibited demethylation in both extracts (90% nuclei positive). High rates of DNA replication were observed in somatic cells in egg extracts in contrast to no replication in oocyte extracts. Aphidicolin (1 �g/20 �L) was added to egg extracts to inhibit DNA replication, and under these conditions, DNA demethylation was abolished, suggesting a passive DNA demethylation mechanism as a result of DNA replication. In conclusion, Xenopus laevis oocyte and egg extracts can demethylate mammalian somatic DNA in an energy-dependent manner. In oocyte extracts, demethylation is independent of DNA replication, suggesting an active mechanism. In egg extracts, DNA replication is required, suggesting a passive mechanism. These studies further demonstrate the differences in reprogramming activities between oocyte and egg cytoplasm and suggest that interspecies extracts may provide a tool for nuclear reprogramming.

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