Chromosome condensation activity in Rana pipiens eggs matured in vivo and in blastomeres arrested by cytostatic factor (CSF)

The ability of brain nuclei to give rise to condensed chromosomes was studied inRana pipiens eggs which had undergone meiotic maturation in vivo, in blastomeres of two-cell embryos which had been arrested at metaphase by the injection of cytostatic factor (CSF) from mature eggs, and in immature fully grown ovarian oocytes with and without prior CSF injection. Chromosomes from brain nuclei were found to condense within 4 h in mature eggs and this chromosome condensation activity was enhanced by the chelation of free Ca²⁺ in the nuclear isolation medium. Chromosomes also condensed in CSF-arrested blastomeres whether they were placed in the blastomere 30 min before the CSF injection or as long as 22 h after the CSF. Both the Ca²⁺-sensitive CSF, 1CSF, and the Ca²⁺-insensitive CSF, 2CSF, resulted in chromosome condensation within arrested blastomeres. The condensation was accompanied by the formation of multipolar spindles and asters. However, it was found that cytoplasm in CSF-arrested blastomeres does not arrest mitosis at metaphase when transferred into a cleaving blastomere. Other experiments demonstrated that chromosome condensation does not occur in ovarian oocytes even when supplied with CSF. The results are interpreted as indicating that CSF does not directly bring about chromosome condensation, but arrests the cell cycle at metaphase and stabilizes the cytoplasmic conditions of metaphase which, in turn, induce chromosome condensation in foreign nuclei as well as spindle and aster formation.     

Chromosome condensation activity in the cytoplasm of anucleate and nucleate fragments of mouse oocytes

The activity of maturation promoting factor (MPF) which causes chromosome condensation and subsequent oocyte maturation was investigated in mouse oocytes using polyethylene-glycol-mediated cell fusion technique. Fully grown oocytes were bisected at germinal vesicle (GV) stage or shortly after germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) into anucleate and nucleate fragments. After 2-3 or 15-17 hr of culture these fragments were fused with interphase blastomeres from two-cell embryos. It was found that almost all the anucleate oocyte fragments cultured for a short term (2-3 hr), regardless of whether they were produced at GV stage or after GVBD, induced premature chromosome condensation in the blastomere nuclei, whereas only about 20% of those cultured for a long term (15-17 hr) could do so. On the other hand, the nucleate fragments always retain the cytoplasmic activity to induce chromosome condensation. Thus we suggested that the MPF initially could appear in mouse oocytes independently of the GV, that the mixing of GV material with the oocyte cytoplasm following GVBD had no effect on the activity of MPF in anucleate fragments, and that oocyte chromosomes or some components associated with them could play a significant role in maintaining the MPF activity.     

Cytoplasmic control of nuclear maturation in mouse oocytes

Oocytes with germinal vesicles were cut into anucleate and nucleate fragments. At the time of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in nucleate fragments (after 2–3 h of culture) sister anucleate fragments were fused with the help of inactivated Sendai virus with interphase blastomeres from 2-cell embryos. The hybrid cells were examined after h and 20 h. The anucleate fragments induced chromosome condensation in the nuclei of interphase blastomeres immediately after fusion. On this basis it may be concluded that GVBD and nuclear maturation in mouse oocytes is induced by a cytoplasmic factor which is produced or unmasked independently of the nucleus.     

Control of chromosome behavior in amphibian oocytes. II. The effect of inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis on the induction of chromosome condensation in transplanted brain nuclei by oocyte cytoplasm

We studied the effects of actinomycin D, alpha-amanitin, puromycin, and cycloheximide on the cytoplasmic activity of maturing Rana pipiens oocytes that induces chromosome condensation in transplanted brain nuclei. Treatment of oocytes with each inhibitor suppressed the chromosome condensation induced by metaphase oocytes to varying degrees depending upon the dose of inhibitor, despite the fact that untreated metaphase I oocytes already possessed chromosome condensation activity (CCA). Treatment of brain nuclei before injection completely suppressed condensation at all doses used. Chromosome condensation induced by metaphase II oocyte cytoplasm, however, was insensitive to all the inhibitors, even when the brain nuclei were pretreated. Oocytes treated with alpha-amanitin throughout maturation induced chromosome condensation when tested at metaphase II. Removal of the oocyte chromosomes after the germinal vesicle (GV) broke down did not prevent the development of CCA, whereas removal of the entire GV before initiation of maturation deprived oocytes of CCA. The results suggest that metaphase I oocyte cytoplasm stimulates synthesis of brain nuclear RNAs that are translated into proteins necessary for chromosome condensation, whereas metaphase II oocytes possess all the factors for chromosome condensation. In both cases, GV nucleoplasm appears indispensable for the development of CCA, whereas immediate activity of the oocyte genome is not required.     

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of the nucleus and nucleolus in growing rabbit oocytes

Summary— Ultrastructural changes of the germinal vesicle during the growth of rabbit oocytes were studied by means of light and electron microscopy, ³H-uridine autoradiography, Ag-NOR staining and E-PTA staining. Particular interest was paid to the nucleologenesis and condensation of chromatin. In contrast to other mammalian species, chromosome condensation in rabbit oocytes occurred concomitantly with rRNA synthesis-dependent nucleolar compaction and preceded nuclear envelope breakdown and resumption of meiosis.     

Control of chromosome behavior in amphibian oocytes. I. The activity of maturing oocytes inducing chromosome condensation in transplanted brain nuclei

The capability of oocyte cytoplasm to induce chromosome condensation was studied by transplantation of isolated brain nuclei into Rana pipiens oocytes induced to undergo maturation in vitro by progesterone treatment. It was found that the chromosome condensation activity (CCA) first appeared in the cytoplasm of maturing oocytes shortly after germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), persisted in fully mature oocytes, but rapidly disappeared when the oocytes were artificially activated. A comparison of the time course of the oocyte chromosome condensation cycle and of brain chromosome condensation in maturing and activated oocytes revealed a close temporal correlation between the two, suggesting that both are under the control of the same cytoplasmic factor(s). Oocytes enucleated before GVBD always failed to develop CCA. The CCA could be restored in enucleated oocytes by injecting nucleoplasm obtained from oocytes that had not yet undergone GVBD although this same nucleoplasm was incapable of producing CCA when mixed with the cytoplasm of oocytes that had not reached the stage of GVBD. It was therefore suggested that the CCA had a dual origin involving both cytoplasmic maturation and GV materials.     

Meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes in vitro: association of newly synthesized proteins with condensing chromosomes.

The nature, intracellular distribution, and role of proteins synthesized during meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes in vitro have been examined. Proteins synthesized during the initial stages of maturation are concentrated within the nucleus (germinal vesicle) and become intimately associated with the condensing chromosomes. Inhibition of protein synthesis during this period does not prevent germinal vesicle dissolution or chromosome condensation, but meiotic progression is blocked reversibly at the circular bivalent stage. A protein is synthesized during meiotic maturation of the mouse oocyte which exhibits several of the characteristics of the very lysine-rich histone, FI; this and other histones are phosphorylated during the initial stages of maturation. These results are discussed in relation to studies of meiotic maturation of oocytes from non-mammalian species and chromosome condensation in both oocytes and mitotic cells.     

鼠兔核质杂交胚胎早期发育的研究

细胞核移植技术已被证明是研究发育中核质相互关系的非常重要的手段之一,电融合技术也是近十年发展起来的新型细胞融合技术。本实验运用这两项技术,进行了鼠、兔目间核质杂交实验,小鼠8-细胞核在激活的兔去核卵母细胞中,发生了染色体超前凝聚及核膨胀,融合卵移植到小鼠输卵管4.5天后,冲洗出,有5.4%的重构卵发育到囊胚期,通过染色体检查,囊胚细胞中均为小鼠染色体,其中一个囊胚为正常小鼠核型(2 n=40,XX)。通过本实验,我们认为:鼠兔远缘核质杂交胚胎的早期发育是可能的。     

Factors influencing chromosome condensation and development of cloned rat embryos

Factors influencing premature chromosome condensation (PCC) in transferred rat nuclei have been examined. Chromosome condensation of rat cumulus cell nuclei did not occur when the cell nuclei were injected into enucleated rat oocytes. By contrast, chromosome condensation did occur after transfer to enucleated mouse oocytes or intact rat oocytes. In the first serial NT experiment, rat somatic cell nuclei were injected into enucleated mouse oocytes, and the reconstructed oocytes were activated by strontium chloride. From these reconstructed embryos, karyoplasts containing pronucleus-like vesicles were transferred into pronuclear zygote-derived cytoplasts by a DC pulse. Transfer of a total of 340 serial NT zygotes into recipient females, including 206 two-cell embryos, resulted in only seven implantation sites. In the second serial NT experiment, rat somatic cell nuclei were injected into intact rat oocytes; the recipient metaphase-plate was then aspirated under UV light from the NT oocytes in which PCC of injected nuclei was observed. After activation of the NT oocytes, karyoplasts were introduced into zygote-derived cytoplasts. Transfer of a total of 115 serial NT zygotes, including 37 two-cell embryos, resulted in four implantation sites but no live offspring. These results establish a mean of inducing chromosome condensation in rat oocytes and demonstrate that reconstructed rat zygotes can be prepared by serial NT procedures. Developmental competence of these embryos remains to be clarified.     

The analysis of chromatin remodeling and the staining for DNA methylation and histone acetylation do not provide definitive indicators of the developmental ability of inter-species cloned embryos

The restricted supply of oocytes in the domestic dog limits the development of reproductive biotechnologies in this species. Inter-species somatic cell nuclear transfer could be an alternative for cloning animals whose oocytes are difficult to obtain. In this study, the possibility of cloning dog embryos using pig oocytes was investigated by evaluating nuclear remodeling. Chromatin remodeling, assessed by premature chromosome condensation, pseudo-pronuclei formation, DNA methylation and histone acetylation, along with the developmental ability was compared between intra- and inter-species cloned embryos. The incidence of premature chromosome condensation was significantly higher in intra-species cloned embryos relative to inter-species cloned embryos (87.2% vs. 61.7%; P<0.05), but comparable pseudo-pronuclei formation was observed in both (85.3% vs. 75.8%). None of the inter-species cloned embryos developed beyond the 8-cell stage while 18.3% of intra-species cloned embryos developed to the blastocyst stage. The relative level of both DNA methylation and histone acetylation was similar between intra- and inter-species cloned embryos at all times examined. These results suggest that although partial chromatin remodeling occurs, further investigation is needed to be able to use pig oocytes as recipient oocytes in dog cloning.     

Teniposide, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, prevents chromosome condensation and separation but not decondensation in fertilized surf clam (Spisula solidissima) oocytes

DNA topoisomerase II has been implicated in regulating chromosome interactions. We investigated the effects of the specific DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor, teniposide on nuclear events during oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development of fertilized Spisula solidissima oocytes using DNA fluorescence. Teniposide treatment before fertilization not only inhibited chromosome separation during meiosis, but also blocked chromosome condensation during mitosis; however, sperm nuclear decondensation was unaffected. Chromosome separation was selectively blocked in oocytes treated with teniposide during either meiotic metaphase I or II indicating that topoisomerase II activity may be required during oocyte maturation. Teniposide treatment during meiosis also disrupted mitotic chromosome condensation. Chromosome separation during anaphase was unaffected in embryos treated with teniposide when the chromosomes were already condensed in metaphase of either first or second mitosis; however, chromosome condensation during the next mitosis was blocked. When interphase two- and four-cell embryos were exposed to topoisomerase II inhibitor, the subsequent mitosis proceeded normally in that the chromosomes condensed, separated, and decondensed; in contrast, chromosome condensation of the next mitosis was blocked. These observations suggest that in Spisula oocytes, topoisomerase II activity is required for chromosome separation during meiosis and condensation during mitosis, but is not involved in decondensation of the sperm nucleus, maternal chromosomes, and somatic chromatin.     

Impaired maturation of the siderophore pyoverdine chromophore in Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 17400 deficient for the cytochrome c biogenesis protein CcmC

Here we show that during the meiotic maturation of Xenopus oocytes, histone H3 becomes phosphorylated on serine-10 at about the time of maturation promoting factor activation and meiosis I entry. However, overexpression of cAMP-dependent protein kinase that blocks entry into M phase, also leads to massive serine-10 phosphorylation of histone H3 in intact Xenopus oocytes but does not cause chromosome condensation. We also show that the phosphorylation of histone H3 during oocyte maturation requires the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/p90Rsk pathway. Our results indicate that in G2-arrested oocytes, which are about to enter M phase, histone H3 phosphorylation is not sufficient for chromosome condensation.     

Cell cycle-dependent behavior of microtubules in hybrids of mouse oocytes and blastomeres.

The behavior of microtubules was studied in hybrids formed between mouse oocytes arrested in metaphase II or activated parthenogenetically and mouse embryo interphase blastomeres. In all cases the interphase blastomere's network of microtubules disassembles rapidly after fusion with oocytes. Introduction of interphase cytoplasm and nuclei to metaphase oocytes during fusion induces the polymerization of new microtubules in the cytoplasm and in the meiotic spindle. The degree and the duration of this facilitated polymerization of microtubules was positively correlated with the volume of blastomeres used for fusion. The blastomere nuclei induce the formation of microtubular frames, which become more evident when the chromatin undergoes premature condensation. Finally, spindle-like structures are formed around the prematurely condensed chromosomes. In hybrids activated around the time of fusion, the blastomere nuclei undergo pronuclear-like transformation. These hybrids develop an interphase network of microtubules typical for activated oocytes. These results are discussed with regards to the cell cycle control of microtubule behavior.     

An improved method for chromosome preparations from preimplantation mammalian embryos, oocytes or isolated blastomeres

A method is described for making chromosome preparation from mammalian oocytes or preimplantation embryo, with or without the zona pellucida, or from isolated blastomeres. It is more robust and requires less skill and experience than previous techniques, yet chromosome structure is well preserved and very high quality preparations can be made. The method, which involves use of cold hypotonic solution and very cold fixative, reduces turbulence and allows even single blastomeres to be located and handled with relative case, while the duration of hypotonic treatment becomes noncritical. The softening solution recommended contains no lactic acid and hence does not harm the chromosomes.     

An Improved Method for Chromosome Preparations from Preimplantation Mammalian Embryos, Oocytes or Isolated Blastomeres

A method is described for making chromosome preparations from mammalian oocytes or preimplantation embryos, with or without the zona pellucida, or from isolated blastomeres. It is more robust and requires less skill and experience than previous techniques, yet chromosome structure is well preserved and very high quality preparations can be made. The method, which involves use of cold hypotonic solution and very cold fixative, reduces turbulence and allows even single blastomeres to be located and handled with relative ease, while the duration of hypotonic treatment becomes noncritical. The softening solution recommended contains no lactic acid and hence does not harm the chromosomes.     

Involvement of histone H3 (Ser10) phosphorylation in chromosome condensation without Cdc2 kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in pig oocytes

When oocytes resume meiosis, chromosomes start to condense and Cdc2 kinase becomes activated. However, recent findings show that the chromosome condensation does not always correlate with the Cdc2 kinase activity in pig oocytes. The objectives of this study were to examine 1) the correlation between chromosome condensation and histone H3 phosphorylation at serine 10 (Ser10) during the meiotic maturation of pig oocytes and 2) the effects of protein phosphatase 1/2A (PP1/ PP2A) inhibitors on the chromosome condensation and the involvement of Cdc2 kinase, MAP kinase, and histone H3 kinase in this process. The phosphorylation of histone H3 (Ser10) was first detected in the clump of condensed chromosomes at the diakinesis stage and was maintained until metaphase II. The kinase assay showed that histone H3 kinase activity was low in oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage (GV) and increased at the diakinesis stage and that high activity was maintained until metaphase II. Treatment of GV-oocytes with okadaic acid (OA) or calyculin-A (CL-A), the PP1/PP2A inhibitors, induced rapid chromosome condensation with histone H3 (Ser10) phosphorylation after 2 h. Both histone H3 kinase and MAP kinase were activated in the treated oocytes, although Cdc2 kinase was not activated. In the oocytes treated with CL-A and the MEK inhibitor U0126, neither Cdc2 kinase nor MAP kinase were activated and no oocytes underwent germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), although histone H3 kinase was still activated and the chromosomes condensed with histone H3 (Ser10) phosphorylation. These results suggest that the phosphorylation of histone H3 (Ser10) occurs in condensed chromosomes during maturation in pig oocytes. Furthermore, the chromosome condensation is correlated with histone H3 kinase activity but not with Cdc2 kinase and MAP kinase activities.     

Cytoplasmic modification of the nuclear lamina during pronuclear-like transformation of mouse blastomere nuclei.

During the successive interphases of cleaving mouse embryos the nuclear periphery diminishes its reactivity to anti-lamin A and C antibodies. This developmentally regulated characteristic can be modified by exposure of the blastomere nuclei to metaphase II (M II) oocyte cytoplasm followed by activation. In the current study we define the cytoplasmic conditions necessary for this modification of 8-cell and 16-cell stage nuclei in hybrids obtained by fusion with metaphase II arrested oocytes, oocytes at various time points after parthenogenetic activation, naturally fertilized eggs (zygotes) and interphase 2-cell embryo blastomeres. The intensity of fluorescence obtained with anti-lamins A/C in the blastomere nuclei increases as a result of fusion with freshly activated oocytes or early zygotes (first 3.0-5.5 h in the case of parthenogenetic activation), and not when eggs or 2-cell blastomeres advanced in interphase are used as partners for fusion. This transformation of the A/C lamin pattern is correlated with the ability to promote pronucleus-like growth of blastomere nuclei in hybrids. Blastomere nuclei introduced into M II-arrested oocytes undergo premature chromatin condensation and dissolution of the nuclear lamina. The results are discussed with regard to certain particularities of the first embryonic interphase of the mouse and the potential involvement of nuclear lamins in pronuclear growth.     

Neither Aurora B activity nor histone H3 phosphorylation is essential for chromosome condensation during meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes

Aurora kinase B (AURKB) is a chromosomal passenger protein that is essential for a number of processes during mitosis. Its activity is regulated by association with two other passenger proteins, INCENP and Survivin, and by phosphorylation on Thr 232. In this study, we examine expression and phosphorylation on Thr-232 of AURKB during meiotic maturation of pig oocytes in correlation with histone H3 phosphorylation and chromosome condensation. We show that histone H3 phosphorylation on Ser-10, but not on Ser-28, correlates with progressive chromosome condensation during oocyte maturation; Ser-10 phosphorylation starts around the time of the breakdown of the nuclear envelope, with the maximal activity in metaphase I, whereas Ser-28 phosphorylation does not significantly change in maturing oocytes. Treatment of oocytes with 50 microM butyrolactone I (BL-I), an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases, or cycloheximide (10 microg/ml), inhibitor of proteosynthesis, results in a block of oocytes in the germinal vesicle stage, when nuclear membrane remains intact; however, condensed chromosome fibers or highly condensed chromosome bivalents can be seen in the nucleoplasm of BL-I- or cycloheximide-treated oocytes, respectively. In these treated oocytes, no or only very weak AURKB activity and phosphorylation of histone H3 on Ser-10 can be detected after 27 h of treatment, whereas phosphorylation on Ser-28 is not influenced. These results suggest that AURKB activity and Ser-10 phosphorylation of histone H3 are not required for chromosome condensation in pig oocytes, but might be required for further processing of chromosomes during meiosis.     

Changes in embryonic 8-cell nuclei transferred by means of cell fusion to mouse eggs.

Metaphase II and activated mouse oocytes were fused with 8-cell blastomeres, and morphological changes in the transferred nuclei were followed using light and electron microscopy. In metaphase II oocytes, blastomere nuclei underwent premature chromosome condensation (PCC) typical for S-phase nuclei: chromatin pulverization. Then an abortive spindle was formed without evident microtubule organizing centers. Blastomere chromosomes condensed to a lesser degree than meiotic chromosomes and lacked mature functional, trilaminar kinetochores. After parthenogenetic activation of these oocytes, blastomere chromosomes followed, in synchrony with oocyte chromatin, a similar route of changes (anaphase, telophase) and then reformed interphase nuclei of the pronuclear type. Remodeling of 8-cell nucleus thus occurred, but the integrity of the chromatin set was frequently disturbed by formation of micronuclei. If blastomere fusion with oocytes was done close to activation (either before or after parthenogenetic stimulation), the chances of remodeling of the nuclei decreased, because PCC was not regularly induced in all oocytes. In hybrids produced 60 min or later after oocyte activation, blastomere nuclei were maintained in interphase without any structural modifications. Multiple experiments in the mouse have shown that the nuclei from 8-cell stage transferred to enucleated oocytes and egg cells are not capable of substituting for pronuclear functions. Possible reasons for impaired functional reprogramming of 8-cell nucleus in the mouse are discussed in light of our present findings on the morphology of nuclei transferred before and after oocyte activation.