Translocation of a store of maternal cytoplasmic c-myc protein into nuclei during early development.

The c-myc proto-oncogene is expressed as a maternal protein during oogenesis in Xenopus laevis, namely, in nondividing cells. A delayed translation of c-myc mRNA accumulated in early oocytes results in the accumulation of the protein during late oogenesis. The oocyte c-myc protein is unusually stable and is located in the cytoplasm, contrasting with its features in somatic cells. A mature oocyte contains a maternal c-myc protein stockpile of 4 x 10(5) to 6 x 10(5) times the level in a somatic growing cell. This level of c-myc protein is preserved only during the cleavage stage of the embryo. Fertilization triggers its rapid migration into the nuclei of the cleaving embryo and a change in the phosphorylation state of the protein. The c-myc protein content per nucleus decreases exponentially during the cleavage stage until a stoichiometric titration by the embryonic nuclei is reached during a 0.5-h period at the midblastula stage. Most of the maternal c-myc store is degraded by the gastrula stage. These observations implicate the participation of c-myc in the events linked to early embryonic development and the midblastula transition.     

Small nuclear U-ribonucleoproteins in Xenopus laevis development. Uncoupled accumulation of the protein and RNA components

The accumulation of protein and RNA components of small nuclear U-ribonucleoprotein particles is non-co-ordinate during oogenesis and early embryogenesis in Xenopus laevis. Northern blot hybridization of a cloned Xenopus U2-RNA gene to oocyte and embryo RNAs demonstrates that the amount of small nuclear U2-RNA per oocyte reaches a plateau early in oogenesis (at the start of yolk deposition); further accumulation is not observed in oogenesis, nor in embryogenesis until the late blastula stage. In contrast, we show by immunoblot analysis that the proteins that bind to small nuclear U-RNAs continue to be accumulated after vitellogenesis begins, reaching maximum amounts only at the end of oocyte development. No further accumulation of these proteins is seen during embryogenesis. The consequences of this non-co-ordinate synthesis of small nuclear RNA and small nuclear RNA-binding proteins are as follows: a 10- to 20-fold excess of the protein components of the small ribonucleoprotein particles over small nuclear RNA exists in large oocytes; the bulk of the protein is cytoplasmic, while the RNA is nuclear. Thus the excess protein in the cytoplasm is uncomplexed with RNA. The imbalance between protein and RNA is not corrected until the late blastula or early gastrula stages of embryogenesis, when a tenfold increase in the amount of small nuclear U2-RNA is detected. Thus the protein, but not the RNA, components of small nuclear U-ribonucleoprotein particles are stockpiled in oocytes for later use in embryonic development. During the course of these studies, we also found that there are tissue-specific differences in the Sm-antigenic proteins of X. laevis.     

Nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions during ovine oocyte maturation

The present studies have been undertaken to investigate the interactions that occur between the nucleus and cytoplasm of ovine oocytes at various stages during meiotic maturation. We report that the nucleus of ovine fully grown dictyate stage oocytes can be efficiently removed by a microsurgical enucleation procedure. It is demonstrated that between the initiation of maturation and germinal vesicle breakdown certain newly synthesized polypeptides are selectively sequestered in the oocyte nucleus and the major sequestered polypeptide has a relative molecular mass of 28,000, which represent at least 9% of the total labelled polypeptides transferred to the oocyte nucleus during the first 4 h of maturation. The experiments provide evidence that the removal of the oocyte nucleus at various times before germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) does not prevent the major series of changes in protein synthesis that occurs after entry into a metaphase. We conclude therefore that the mixing of the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm is not essential for the initiation or progression of the protein reprogramming process during maturation. In addition, the experiments show that the development of the ability to condense chromatin during ovine oocyte maturation is independent of the oocyte nucleus. The combined results strongly support the hypothesis that the extensive series of translational changes that occur in oocytes during maturation are controlled by cytoplasmic rather than nuclear factors.     

Changes in zinc,copper and metallothionein contents during oocyte growth and early development of the teleost Danio rerio (zebrafish)

In the present report, we investigated zinc, copper and metallothionein (MT) contents in zebrafish oocytes and embryos. Our results demonstrate that the metal content increases during oocytes maturation. Zinc increases from 30 ng/oocyte (stage-1 oocytes) to 100 ng/oocyte (stage-3 oocytes); copper varied from 1 ng/oocyte (stage-1 oocytes) to 3.5 ng/oocyte (stage-3 oocytes). During embryogenesis, zinc and copper contents dramatically increase after fertilisation around the 512-cells stage, then slowly decrease until the mid-gastrula stage. During oocyte growth, the changes in the MT level are proportional to metal content, whereas during embryogenesis the pattern of MT accumulation does not parallel that of the two metals. Indeed, the maternal pool of MT decreases steadily during the early stages of the development until the gastrula stage. We have examined the effect of cadmium on the expression of MT during zebrafish development. After cadmium exposure, MT content increases in embryos at the blastula stage, whereas no induction occurs in embryos at the gastrula stage. However, pre-treatment of embryos at the gastrula stage with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine induces MT synthesis following exposure to cadmium. These observations show that changes in metal levels are not correlated to MT content in the embryo, whereas DNA methylation is one of the factors regulating MT expression.     

Oogenesis and the ovarian cycle in Salamandra salamandra infraimmaculata Mertens (Amphibia; Urodela; Salamandridae) in fringe areas of the taxon's distribution

Reproductive cycle and oogenesis were studied in specimens of Salamandra salamandra infraimmaculata Mertens that inhabit fringe areas of the taxon's distribution in the Mediterranean region. Both ovarian mass and length are correlated significantly with body mass and length. Ovarian length is also correlated with the number of oocytes. During the oogenetic cycle six stages in oocyte development were recognized. Three occur during previtellogenesis: stage 1, in which oogonia divide and form cell nests; stage 2 in which oogonia differentiate into oocytes; and stage 3, in which the oocyte cytoplasm increases in volume. In the vitellogenic phase two additional stages, 4 and 5, were recognized: stage 4, in which lipid accumulates in vacuoles in the periphery followed by the appearance of yolk platelets near the cytoplasmic margin; and stage 5, in which oocyte volume increases rapidly due to increased number of yolk platelets until it reaches its maximal size. During postvitellogenesis one stage was recognized: stage 6, in which the beginning of maturation is characterized by movement of the nucleus toward the animal pole. Oogenesis continues year-round. The first four stages were seen in all ovaries examined. The ovarian cycle is independent of season and reproductive stage apart from the number of mature, postvitellogenic oocytes that increases following gestation toward the beginning of spring (March-April). J. Morphol 231:149–160, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

黄胫小车蝗卵子发生及卵母细胞凋亡的显微观察

对黄胫小车蝗(Oedaleus infernalis)卵子发生过程和卵母细胞凋亡进行显微观察。结果表明,黄胫小车蝗卵子发生可明显分为3个时期10个阶段,即卵黄发生前期、卵黄发生期和卵壳形成期。第1阶段,卵母细胞位于卵原区,经历减数第一次分裂;第2阶段,卵母细胞核内染色体解体成网状,滤泡细胞稀疏地排列在卵母细胞周围;第3阶段,滤泡细胞扁平状,在卵母细胞周围排成一层;第4阶段,滤泡细胞呈立方形排在卵母细胞周围;第5阶段,滤泡细胞呈长柱形排在卵母细胞周围,滤泡细胞之间、滤泡细胞与卵母细胞之间出现空隙;第6阶段,卵母细胞边缘开始出现卵黄颗粒;第7阶段,卵母细胞中沉积大量卵黄,胚泡破裂;第8阶段,滤泡细胞分泌卵黄膜包围卵黄物质;第9阶段,滤泡细胞分泌卵壳;第10阶段,卵壳分泌结束,卵子发育成熟。卵母细胞发育过程中的凋亡发生在卵黄发生前期,主要表现为滤泡细胞向卵母细胞内折叠,胞质呈团块状等特征。     

Chromatin behaviour under influence of puromycin and 6-DMAP at different stages of mouse oocyte maturation

Preovulatory mouse oocytes were cultured in vitro up to each subsequent stages of maturation: germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), groups of not yet individualized bivalents, circular bivalents, late prometaphase I, metaphase I, anaphase I and telophase I. The stages were identified in living oocytes by fluorescence microscopy using Hoechst 33342 as a specific vital dye. Oocytes from each stage of development developed in vitro and ovulated metaphase II oocytes were subsequently cultured in the presence of puromycin or 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP), an inhibitor of protein phosphorylation. The effects on chromatin of these drugs were studied during and at the end of culture by fluorescence and electron microscopy. We found that puromycin and 6-DMAP stop meiosis when applied at all stages of oocyte maturation, except for metaphase II. Oocytes at this stage are activated by puromycin. Reaction of the oocytes to the two drugs is different at GV and at metaphase II. All of the other stages react to the drugs by chromatin compaction, which can be followed by chromatin decondensation to form a nucleus. Our results suggest that late prophase chromatin condensation, bivalent individualization and retention of their individuality, as well as individualization of monovalents from telophase and retention of their individuality at metaphase II, are dependent on protein phosphorylation. The events occurring between metaphase I and telophase I are independent of protein synthesis and phosphorylation. The events occurring between metaphase II and formation of the nucleus are independent of protein synthesis.by U. Scheer     

Cdc25C expression in meiotically competent and incompetent goat oocytes

Change in Cdc25C expression and localization during maturation and meiotic competence acquisition was investigated in goat oocytes. Western blot analysis revealed that Cdc25C is constitutively expressed throughout meiosis in competent goat oocytes, with changes in its phosphorylation level. Cdc25C was detected at 55 and 70 kDa, representing the nonphosphorylated form and the hyperphosphorylated active form, respectively. During the G2-M transition at meiosis resumption, Cdc25C was hyperphosphorylated as evidenced by a clear shift from 55 to 70 kDa. Okadaic acid which induced premature meiosis resumption associated with MPF activation also involved a premature shift from 55 to 70 kDa in goat competent oocytes. After artificial activation of goat oocytes, Cdc25C returned to its 55 kDa form. By indirect immunofluorescence, Cdc25C was found essentially localized in the nucleus at the germinal vesicle stage, suggesting that Cdc25C functions within the nucleus to regulate MPF activation. Concomitantly with germinal vesicle breakdown, Cdc25C was redistributed throughout the cytoplasm. The amount of Cdc25C, very low in incompetent oocytes, increased with meiosis competence acquisition. On the other hand, during oocyte growth while the expression of Cdc25C increased, its phosphorylation level increased concomitantly as well as its nuclear translocation. These results suggest that meiosis resumption needs a sufficient amount of Cdc25C which must be completely phosphorylated and nuclear and that the amount of Cdc25C may be a limiting factor for meiotic competence acquisition. We could consider that Cdc25C nuclear translocation and phosphorylation, during oocyte growth, prepare the oocytes in advance for the G2-M phase transition occurring during meiosis resumption.     

Poly (A) polymerases in the nucleus and cytoplasm of frog oocytes: dynamic changes during oocyte maturation and early development.

Poly(A) can be added to mRNAs both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. During oocyte maturation and early embryonic development, cytoplasmic polyadenylation of preexisting mRNAs provides a common mechanism of translational control. In this report, to begin to understand the regulation of polyadenylation activities during early development, we analyze poly (A) polymerases (PAPs) in oocytes and early embryos of the frog, Xenopus laevis. We have cloned and sequenced a PAP cDNA that corresponds to a maternal mRNA present in frog oocytes. This PAP is similar in size and sequence to mammalian nuclear PAPs. By immunoblotting using monoclonal antibodies raised against human PAP, we demonstrate that oocytes contain multiple forms of PAP that display different electrophoretic mobilities. The oocyte nucleus contains primarily the slower migrating forms of PAP, whereas the cytoplasm contains primarily the faster migrating species. The nuclear forms of PAP are phosphorylated, accounting for their retarded mobility. During oocyte maturation and early postfertilization development, preexisting PAPs undergo regulated phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events. Using the cloned PAP cDNA, we demonstrate that the complex changes in PAP forms seen during oocyte maturation may be due to modifications of a single polypeptide. These results demonstrate that the oocyte contains a cytoplasmic polymerase closely related to the nuclear enzyme and suggest models for how its activity may be regulated during early development.     

Immunolocalization of a nuclear protein bound to the sphere organelle during oogenesis and embryogenesis inPleurodeles waltl

Summary The distribution of a nuclear antigen ofPleurodeles waltl oocytes, recognized by the monoclonal antibody B24/1, has been studied during oogenesis and early embryonic development. In stage I oocytes the antigen was localized in the nucleoplasm and on two atypical structures of lampbrush chromosomes, the spheres (S) and the mass (M). The immunostaining increased as the oocyte developed. In stage VI oocytes, the nucleoplasm and spheres showed intense staining. At this stage, the nucleoplasm often contained free spheres which were also labelled. The staining of M diminished during oogenesis, as did its size. Immunoblots of nuclear proteins of oocytes at different stages confirmed that there was an accumulation of this protein during oogenesis. During embryonic development, the nuclei of all the cells of blastula and gastrula were labelled by this antibody: there was no embryonic regionalization. Starting from the neurula stage, the staining progressively disappeared from the nuclei of ectodermal and mesodermal cells. In the tailbud stage, only the endodermal cell nuclei showed faint staining. Immunoblots of proteins from embryos of different stages showed that the quantity of this protein was constant until the young gastrula stage and then decreased progressively; in the young tailbud stage, this protein was practically absent. B24/1 is the first described protein of the sphere. This protein is accumulated in the oocyte nucleus and behaves like a maternal polypeptide, shifting early in the nuclei during embryonic development. Thus, B24/1 probably has a function required from the early developmental stages, perhaps in relation with small nuclear ribonucleoproteins.     

Developmental potential of aged oocyte rescued by nuclear transfer following parthenogenetic activation and in vitro fertilization

Mouse oocyte aged in vitro cannot develop normally following activation. To investigate the roles of nucleus or cytoplasm elements in oocyte aged in vitro process and their subsequent development capability following activation, we reconstructed oocytes with MII chromosome spindle and cytoplasm from aged and fresh oocytes by nuclear transfer. The subsequent developmental potential after parthenogenetic activation (PA) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) was evaluated. After nuclear transfer, more than 75.6% of karyoplast and cytoplast pairs can be fused and reconstructed oocytes have a normal haploid karyotype. Following PA, aged oocytes cannot develop beyond four-cell stage, reconstructed oocytes from fresh nucleus and aged cytoplasm developed to blastocyst with a low percentage (9.1%). Instead, blastocyst formation rate of reconstructed oocyte from aged nucleus and fresh cytoplasm was higher (60.0%). Following IVF, zygote with diploid karyotype can be formed from zona pellucida (ZP)-free oocyte. After cultured in vitro, aged oocytes cannot develop beyond two-cell; reconstructed oocytes from fresh nucleus and aged cytoplasm developed to blastocyst with low percentage (15.0%). However, high blastocyst formation rate (86.2%) can be obtained from reconstructed oocytes from aged nucleus and fresh cytoplasm. Furthermore, after embryo transfer, three viable pups have been obtained, although the efficiency is very low. These observation demonstrated that cytoplasm is more crucial than nucleus to aging process. Fresh cytoplasm could partly rescue nucleus susceptibility to apoptosis from aging in vitro.     

泥螺卵子发生的超微结构研究

利用透射电镜观察了泥螺卵子发生过程。结果表明 ,泥螺的卵子发生可划分为卵原细胞、卵黄发生早期、卵黄发生中期及卵黄发生后期卵母细胞 4个时期。卵原细胞核大而圆 ,胞质内分布有少量的线粒体和高尔基囊泡 ,细胞表面具微绒毛。卵黄发生早期的卵母细胞 ,胞质中各类细胞器发达 ,并出现数量较多的类朦胧子。卵黄发生中期的卵母细胞胞体迅速增大 ,核伸出伪足状突起 ,卵质中各种细胞器活动活跃 ,并参与形成卵黄粒和脂滴。此期还可观察到卵母细胞与滤泡细胞间的物质交换现象。卵黄发生后期的卵母细胞体积增至最大 ,细胞器数量减少。本文就卵黄发生前后卵母细胞内部构造的变化、意义及滤泡细胞与卵母细胞蛋白来源间的关系作了探讨     

Requirement for RNA-binding activity of MSY2 for cytoplasmic localization and retention in mouse oocytes

MSY2, a mouse germ cell-specific Y-box protein, is implicated in the global regulation of the stability and/or translation of maternal mRNAs in the mouse oocyte. We report here that in the oocyte approximately 75% of MSY2 protein is associated with a Triton-insoluble preparation, whereas in either male germ cells or when exogenously expressed in transfected somatic cells almost all MSY2 is soluble. This retention in the oocyte, which is unlikely mediated either by microfilaments or by microtubules, markedly decreases beyond the two-cell stage of development. By microinjecting mutant MSY2-EGFP chimeric mRNAs into mouse oocytes and then assaying the expressed protein's localization by laser-scanning confocal microscopy, we find that an intact cold-shock domain (CSD), containing two RNA-binding motifs, is required to localize MSY2 to the oocyte cytoplasm. In addition, an additional basic/aromatic amino acid island (B/A), which can also interact with RNA, in the C-terminal tail domain is necessary to retain MSY2 following Triton permeabilization. Intact mRNA appeared required for this retention, since RNase A treatment of Triton-permeabilized oocytes or microinjection of RNase A into the oocyte released essentially all of the endogenous MSY2 protein. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between the ability of the mutant MSY2-EGFP protein to remain associated with the Triton-insoluble preparations and its increased affinity for RNA, as determined by RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assays. These results suggest that binding of intact maternal mRNA by MSY2 is required for its cytoplasmic retention.