Cellular organization in the synganglion of the mite Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acarina: Macrochelidae)

Summary A large DNA containing body is found in oocytes of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus. Little or no RNA synthesis is associated with the DNA body during the leptotene, zygotene, and pachytene stages of meiotic prophase I. During the early diplotene stage of development, large masses of nucleolar material begin to accumulate at the periphery of the DNA body. The onset of RNA synthesis correlates with a change in the histochemically detectable histone proteins associated with the DNA body. In ovaries of animals injected with uridine-H³, most of the label accumulates in ribosomal RNA. Autoradiographic studies show that the cytoplasm of late diplotene stage cells accumulates uridine label to a greater extent than does the cytoplasm of early diplotene stage cells. Increased transport of nucleolar material through the nuclear envelope of late diplotene stage cells accounts for the increased cytoplasmic labeling.This investigation was supported by PHS Research Grant No. GM 16440 from the Institute of General Medical Sciences, and by Grants No. L-16 and J-1 from the Health Research and Services Foundation.The authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of Mrs. Marcia Andrews and Miss Celeste Malinoski.     

Melatonin rescues the aneuploidy in mice vitrified oocytes by regulating mitochondrial heat product

Vitrification of germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes has been shown to be closely associated with decreased rates of meiosis maturation and increased rates of aneuploidy. However, little is known about the effects of melatonin on these events in mice vitrified GV oocytes. In this study, the effects of melatonin on meiosis maturation potential and the incidence rate of aneuploidy in mouse vitrified oocytes were analyzed by supplementing in vitro maturation (IVM) solution with melatonin at different concentrations. This study, for the first time, showed that the mitochondrial heat production was markedly increased in vitrified oocytes (P < 0.05), which compromised the first polar body extrusion (PBE) of vitrified oocytes (73.3% vs. 85.1%, P < 0.05). However, 10⁻¹¹ mol/L melatonin could significantly decrease mitochondrial heat production and ROS level (9.1 vs. 12.0 pixels, P < 0.05), meanwhile increase ATP level (1.1 vs. 0.88 pmol, P < 0.05) and mtDNA copies (107438 vs. 67869, P < 0.05), which rescued the abnormal chromosome alignment (32% vs. 69%, P < 0.05) and reduced the incidence of aneuploidy (15.6% vs. 38.5%, P < 0.05) in vitrified oocytes. The meiosis maturation ability of vitrified oocytes with melatonin supplementation was similar to that of fresh ones (83.4% vs. 85.1%, P > 0.05). Collectively, our data revealed that melatonin has a protective action against vitrification-induced injuries of oocytes meiosis maturation.     

Amyloid pore-channel hypothesis: effect of ethanol on aggregation state using frog oocytes for an Alzheimer’s disease study

Alzheimer''s disease severely compromises cognitive function. One of the mechanisms to explain the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease has been the hypotheses of amyloid-pore/channel formation by complex Aβ-aggregates. Clinical studies suggested the moderate alcohol consumption can reduces probability developing neurodegenerative pathologies. A recent report explored the ability of ethanol to disrupt the generation of complex Aβ in vitro and reduce the toxicity in two cell lines. Molecular dynamics simulations were applied to understand how ethanol blocks the aggregation of amyloid. On the other hand, the in silico modeling showed ethanol effect over the dynamics assembling for complex Aβ-aggregates mediated by break the hydrosaline bridges between Asp 23 and Lys 28, was are key element for amyloid dimerization. The amyloid pore/channel hypothesis has been explored only in neuronal models, however recently experiments suggested the frog oocytes such an excellent model to explore the mechanism of the amyloid pore/channel hypothesis. So, the used of frog oocytes to explored the mechanism of amyloid aggregates is new, mainly for amyloid/pore hypothesis. Therefore, this experimental model is a powerful tool to explore the mechanism implicates in the Alzheimer’s disease pathology and also suggests a model to prevent the Alzheimer’s disease pathology. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(1): 13-18]     

"两步法"体外培养山羊卵母细胞的超微结构观察

有假说认为,卵母细胞在体外培养过程中,如果延长GV期,可促进卵母细胞进一步成熟,因而提高发育潜能。采用山羊半卵泡和卵母细胞共培养,抑制卵母细胞GVBD发生,从而延长GV期。比较了共培养前后和恢复成熟培养后卵母细胞的超微结构变化,其目的从亚细胞水平寻找卵母细胞进一步成熟的证据。研究发现,常规成熟培养:有卵周隙存在,但不贯通,局部区域卵膜与透明带结合紧密;部分皮质区尚有细胞器存在;微绒毛大部分从透明带中撤出,倒伏于质膜表面,数量较多,形态较为粗大;皮层颗粒质膜下部分单层分布,部分散布于皮质区;线粒体均匀散布于卵质中央区。共培养前:卵母细胞的卵周隙尚未形成,微绒毛没有从透明带中撤出;线粒体等细胞器分布于皮质区,皮层颗粒成簇状分布,皮质区富含细胞器。共培养后:局部形成卵周隙,微绒毛已自透明带中撤出,数量较多,垂直或倒伏于卵膜表面;线粒体以簇状分批开始内移,皮层颗粒已部分单层分布于质膜下,部分皮质区缺乏细胞器。恢复成熟培养后:卵周隙进一步扩大并且贯通,微绒毛数量减少并且绝大多数垂直于卵膜;线粒体在卵质中央区均匀分布,皮层颗粒卵膜下单层分布,大部分皮质区无细胞器存在。利用“两步法”培养得到的卵母细胞与体外常规成熟培养的卵母细胞相比,更有利于皮层颗粒的质膜下单层分布,卵母细胞卵周隙的形成与贯通,微绒毛数量减少和垂直于卵膜表面,无细胞器皮层区的进一步形成。因此,更有利于卵母细胞胞质的进一步成熟。     

Measuring Cation Transport by Na,K- and H,K-ATPase in Xenopus Oocytes by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry: An Alternative to Radioisotope Assays

Whereas cation transport by the electrogenic membrane transporter Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase can be measured by electrophysiology, the electroneutrally operating gastric H⁺,K⁺-ATPase is more difficult to investigate. Many transport assays utilize radioisotopes to achieve a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio, however, the necessary security measures impose severe restrictions regarding human exposure or assay design. Furthermore, ion transport across cell membranes is critically influenced by the membrane potential, which is not straightforwardly controlled in cell culture or in proteoliposome preparations. Here, we make use of the outstanding sensitivity of atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) towards trace amounts of chemical elements to measure Rb⁺ or Li⁺ transport by Na⁺,K⁺- or gastric H⁺,K⁺-ATPase in single cells. Using Xenopus oocytes as expression system, we determine the amount of Rb⁺ (Li⁺) transported into the cells by measuring samples of single-oocyte homogenates in an AAS device equipped with a transversely heated graphite atomizer (THGA) furnace, which is loaded from an autosampler. Since the background of unspecific Rb⁺ uptake into control oocytes or during application of ATPase-specific inhibitors is very small, it is possible to implement complex kinetic assay schemes involving a large number of experimental conditions simultaneously, or to compare the transport capacity and kinetics of site-specifically mutated transporters with high precision. Furthermore, since cation uptake is determined on single cells, the flux experiments can be carried out in combination with two-electrode voltage-clamping (TEVC) to achieve accurate control of the membrane potential and current. This allowed e.g. to quantitatively determine the 3Na⁺/2K⁺ transport stoichiometry of the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and enabled for the first time to investigate the voltage dependence of cation transport by the electroneutrally operating gastric H⁺,K⁺-ATPase. In principle, the assay is not limited to K⁺-transporting membrane proteins, but it may work equally well to address the activity of heavy or transition metal transporters, or uptake of chemical elements by endocytotic processes.     

Studies on the ovotestis of the slug Agriolimax reticulatus (Müller)

Summary The ovarian oocytes of Agriolimax reticulatus (Müller) have been studied by light and electron microscopy and electron cytochemistry. The development of the oocyte in the ovotestis may be divided into three stages.During Stage I the oocyte cytoplasm contains mainly ribosomes and also strands of endoplasmic reticulum, scattered mitochondria and Golgi systems. The nucleus contains both a paranucleolus and an eunucleolus. By Stage II the oocyte has enlarged, especially in a plane parallel to the basement membrane. In addition to the above mentioned organelles, the cytoplasm contains lipid, glycogen and early yolk platelets. During Stage III, the oocyte continues to enlarge, but mainly in a plane perpendicular to the basement membrane. A considerable degree of cytoplasmic differentiation has also taken place. The plasma membrane of the oocyte has become specialized with the appearance of a polysaccharide-rich glycocalyx, microvilli and pinocytotic tubules. Elsewhere, much of the background cytoplasm, containing Golgi-derived, polysaccharide and acid phosphatase-rich multivesiculate bodies, lipid and glycogen, is sequestered by smooth membranes and ultimately fuses with the growing yolk platelets. The nucleus contains an amphinucleolus, characteristic of many gastropods.The findings of this study are discussed in relation to results from other studies on oogenesis.     

Untersuchungen am Ovar von Bruchidius obtectus Say. (Coleoptera-Polyphaga) zur Klärung des Oocytenwachstums in der Prävitellogenese

Zusammenfassung Im ersten Teil der Arbeit werden die Ovariolen adulter Imagines von Bruchidius obtectus licht- und elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Durch den Nachweis von Nährsträngen, die die Oocyten mit den Nährzellen der Endkammer verbinden, konnte erstmals gezeigt werden, daß Bruchidius telotroph-meroistische Ovariolen besitzt. Die Nährzellen, deren Kerne kettenförmige Nukleolen aufweisen, bilden bei den Imagines ein Syncytium, das von einem räumlichen Maschennetz aus interstitiellen Zellen stabilisiert wird. In den Oocytenkernen entsteht während der Prävitellogenese eine Karyosphäre, von der aus Nukleolarkörper, Binnenkörper und segmentierte Längsstrukturen gebildet werden. Die Nukleolarkörper und die kettenförmigen Nährzellnukleolen werden als multiple Nukleolen diskutiert.Der zweite Teil der Arbeit stellt eine ontogenetische Untersuchung des Ovariolengewebes dar. Danach entsteht das Nährzellsyncytium in der Phase der Imaginalhäutung aus einem zellulär-fusomalen Verband. Die morphologische Abgrenzung der Ei- und Nährzellen voneinander sowie die Ausbildung von Nährsträngen finden ebenfalls in dieser Entwicklungsphase statt. Die präsumptiven Ei- und Nährzellen durchlaufen auf dem Puppenstadium das Pachytän der Prophase der Meiose. Damit weisen sich die Nährzellen als Keimbahnabkömmlinge aus.Im dritten Teil der Untersuchungen erfolgt eine Analyse der DNA- und RNA-Synthese sowie des RNA-Transports in dem Ovariolengewebe adulter Imagines. DNA Markierungen mit ³H-Thymidin lassen auf einen, wenn auch geringen, Polyploidiegrad der Nährzellkerne schließen. Markierungen mit ³H-Uridin belegen eine hohe RNA-Syntheserate der Nährzellkerne. Mit nahezu gleicher Intensität wie die Nährzellkerne synthetisieren auch die Oocytenkerne RNA, obwohl sie eine Karyosphäre bilden. Mit Hilfe von Markierungsgradienten im Ooplasma sowie von Nährstrangmarkierungen gelang der Nachweis eines RNA-Transportes von Nährzellsyncytium über die Nährstränge in die Oocyten.Abschließend wird das telotrophe Ovar von Bruchidius (Coleoptera-Polyphaga) dem telotrophen Ovar der Heteropteren gegenübergestellt. Der Vergleich legt eine konvergente Entwicklung dieses Ovartyps bei Insekten nahe.

---

The growth of oocytes during previtellogenesis in the ovary of Bruchidius obtectus say. (Colepotera-Polyphaga)

Summary In the first part of the investigation the ovarioles of adult imagines are analyzed by light and electron microscopy. It is shown that nutritive cords connect the oocytes with the apical trophic tissue, demonstrating that Bruchidius has telotroph-meroistic ovarioles. The trophic tissue, in which the nurse cell nuclei contain chain-like nucleoli, is a syncytium stabilized by a three-dimensional network of interstitial cells. During previtellogenesis, a karyosphere is formed in oocyte nuclei in which nucleolar bodies, endobodies, and filament bodies originate. The nucleolar bodies and the chain-like nucleoli of nurse cells are considered to be multiple nucleoli.In the second part, the development of the ovariole tissue during ontogenesis is studied. The syncytial trophic tissue derives from a cellular-fusomal organization during the phase of molting. During the same period, the morphological distinction between nurse cells and oocytes as well as the development of nutritive cords take place. Nurse cells are derived from the germ-line, since, during pupal stages, both the prospective oocytes and the prospective nurse cells undergo the prophase of meiosis up to pachytene.The third part is an investigation of DNA- and RNA-synthesis and RNA-transport in the ovariole tissue of adult imagines. DNA labelling with tritiated thymidine shows a small degree of polyploidisation in nurse cell nuclei. By labelling with tritiated uridine, a high rate of RNA-synthesis could be demonstrated in nurse cell nuclei. A similar amount of RNA-synthesis exists in oocyte nuclei, even if they form a karyosphere. The transport of RNA from the apical trophic tissue via the nutritive cords into the oocytes is demonstrated by silver grain gradients over the ooplasm and by the labelling of nutritive cords.Finally, the telotrophic ovary of Bruchidius (Coleoptera-Polyphaga) is compared with the telotrophic ovary of Heteroptera, suggesting a convergent development of telotroph-meroistic ovaries in insects.

Meinem verstorbenen Lehrer Herrn Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Bier bin ich für die Überlassung des Themas und für die rege Anteilnahme am Fortgang der Arbeit zu großem Dank verpflichtet. Ebenso gilt mein Dank Herrn Prof. Dr. Klaus Heckmann, der mir die Fortsetzung der Arbeit ermöglichte. Für zahlreiche Diskussionsbeiträge und kritische Anmerkungen danke ich Herrn Prof. Dr. Oswald Hess, Herrn Dr. Udo Mays, Herrn Prof. Dr. Karl Müller und Herrn Dr. Fritz Weber. Frau Marianne Unger danke ich für die technische Hilfe bei der Anfertigung des Schemas.     

Formation and function of cytoplasmic annulate lamellae in the eggs ofPomatoceros triqueter L.

Summary During an ultrastructural study of the eggs of the serpulid wormPomatoceros triqueter L., annulate lamellae were frequently encountered in the cytoplasm. In particular, some observations indicated that they originate by successive outfoldings of the nuclear envelope. Consequently, annulate lamellae must consist of alternating layers of nuclear and cytoplasmic material, each layer being separated by part of the nuclear envelope. It was observed that there was a similarity between nuclear and inter-annulate lamellar material. Moreover tritiated thymidine was shown to be present in the stacks. It is inferred that this system might well function as an efficient means of transporting nuclear material into the cytoplasm. The authors wish to thank Messrs. P. C. Lloyd, P. Henley and D. Williams for technical assistance.     

雌性树的麻醉和生殖器官解剖与卵母细胞形态特征的观察

目的　对雌性树的麻醉、生殖器官解剖与卵母细胞形态特征进行观察 ,为制备转基因树奠定基础。方法　用 1%的戊巴比妥钠 (10 - 3ml g体重 )肌内注射对树麻醉 ,比较在不同环境温度下对麻醉效果的影响。对雌性树生殖器官解剖结构、卵母细胞形态特征等进行观察。结果　①在 2 5～ 2 8℃、18～ 2 0℃下麻醉的持续时间分别为 80min、130min ;②雌性树的子宫为双角子宫 ,卵巢外有包膜 ;③卵母细胞富含色素 ,卵母细胞的透明带与质膜的韧性较山羊强。结论　在 2 5～ 2 8℃下 ,用 1%的戊巴比妥钠 (10 - 3ml g体重 )对树麻醉时间比较适中 ,便于实验操作而且苏醒快。雌性树生殖器官解剖结构、卵母细胞形态特征观察表明 ,树的胚胎移植、转基因等实验操作与小鼠类似 ,但树的受精卵须进行离心处理。     

Extreme rapid warming yields high functional survivals of vitrified 8-cell mouse embryos even when suspended in a half-strength vitrification solution and cooled at moderate rates to −196 °C

To cryopreserve cells, it is essential to avoid intracellular ice formation during cooling and warming. One way to do so is to subject them to procedures that convert cell water into a non-crystalline glass. Current belief is that to achieve this vitrification, cells must be suspended in very high concentrations of glass-inducing solutes (i.e., ?6 molal) and cooled at very high rates (i.e., ?1000 °C/min). We report here that both these beliefs are incorrect with respect to the vitrification of 8-cell mouse embryos. In this study, precompaction 8-cell embryos were vitrified in several dilutions of EAFS10/10 using various cooling rates and warming rates. Survival was based on morphology, osmotic functionality, and on the ability to develop to expanded blastocysts. With a warming rate of 117,500 °C/min, the percentages of embryos vitrified in 1×, 0.75×, and 0.5× EAFS that developed to blastocysts were 93%, 92%, and 83%, respectively. And the percentages of morphological survivors that developed to expanded blastocysts were 100%, 92%, and 97%, respectively. Even when the solute concentration of the EAFS was reduced to 33% of normal, we obtained 40% functional survival of these 8-cell embryos.