Expression of DNA ligases I and II during oogenesis and early development of Xenopus laevis. |
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Authors: | S Aoufouchi C Prigent N Theze M Philippe P Thiebaud |
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Institution: | Laboratoire de Biologie et Génétique du Développement, URA CNRS 256, Université de Rennes I, France. |
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Abstract: | We have analyzed the expression of DNA ligase I protein during oogenesis and early development of Xenopus laevis. The protein is already present in stage I oocytes and then accumulates throughout oogenesis to reach a steady state level by stage VI. It remains at this level at least until tadpole stage. In stage VI oocytes DNA ligase I protein is almost exclusively localized in the germinal vesicle. We have partially purified a DNA ligase II activity from stage VI oocytes, unfertilized eggs, and stage 8 embryos. An 80-kDa polypeptide can be specifically adenylated in all three purified extracts. It is not recognized by antibodies directed against DNA ligase I and is active on oligo(dT)-poly(rA) substrate. It could therefore represent DNA ligase II protein. The presence of both DNA ligases I and II in oocytes and embryos is inconsistent with the DNA ligase model that had been previously proposed for amphibia. |
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