Rearrangement of the actin-spectrin cytoskeleton during oocyte maturation of the starfish Asterias amurensis

Actin and spectrin localization in the oocytes of the starfish Asterias amurensis at hormonal induction of maturation until the destruction of the germinal vesicular membrane has been investigated by immunocytochemical and immunoblotting methods. In immature oocytes, spectrinlike protein and actin are detected to be colocalized in the undermembranous area of the cytoplasm and nuclear membrane. 1-Methyladenine causes redistribution of these proteins into intracellular structures. The actin-spectrin cytoskeleton rearrangement is shown to start at the animal pole of the oocyte and to spread then to its vegetative pole.