Dynamic phase microscopy reveals periodic oscillations of endoplasmic reticulum during network formation

Dynamic phase microscopy was used to study the dynamic events of formation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in interphase-arrested Xenopus egg extract. We have shown that the ER periodically oscillated in an ATP-dependent manner in the frequency range of 1.6–2.2 Hz, while the tubular membrane network formed in vitro. The spectral density, i.e. the pattern of a given frequency component in the Fourier spectrum, was strongly correlated with the dynamic events during microtubule-dependent and microtubule-independent ER network formation observed by video-enhanced contrast differential interference contrast and fluorescence microscopy. Because the 1.6–2.2 Hz frequency of oscillation during the network formation was detected both in the presence and absence of microtubules, it appears to be an intrinsic ATP-dependent ER membrane property. Several characteristic active and inactive stages of ER network formation were observed both in the presence and absence of microtubules. However, data analysis of these stages indicated that microtubules and dynein motor activity have a strong influence and a cooperative effect on the kinetics of ER formation by controlled fusion reaction.