Abstract
In order to determine the requirements for the transition from metaphase to interphase, mature mouse oocytes, in which meiosis is arrested at metaphase II, were treated with the parthenogenetic agents, the calcium ionophore, A23187, or the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX), in conjunction with the microtubule inhibitor, colcemid, or the calcium chelator, 1, 2-bis (o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N, N’N’-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). We found that, whereas oocytes treated with either A23187 or CHX formed nuclei, colcemid-treated oocytes remained at metaphase when exposed to either of the activating agents. However, when colcemid-treated oocytes were exposed to A23187 and CHX in combination, nuclei formed. When oocytes pre-treated with BAPTA were exposed to either of the parthenogenetic drugs, alone or in combination, they remained arrested at metaphase. This suggests that a calcium increase is required for the exit from metaphase in all these cases. However, the presence of microtubules’is required for the exit from metaphaše only when induced by either A23187 or CHX, but not when these drugs are used in combination.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
M.H. Kaufman. “Early Mammalian Development: Parthenogenetic Studies.” Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. (1983).
R.A. Steinhardt, D. Epel, E.J. Carroll Jr. and R. Yanagimachi, is calcium ionophore a universal activator for unfertilised eggs? Nature 252: 41–43 (1974).
Y. Masui, P.G. Meyerhof, M.A. Miller, and W.J. Wasserman, Roles of divalent cations in maturation and activation of vertebrate oocytes, Differentiation. 9: 49–57 (1977).
G. Siracusa, D.G. Whittingham, M. Molinaro, and E. Vivarelli, Parthenogenetic activation of mouse oocytes induced by inhibitors of protein synthesis, J. Embryol. exp. Morphol. 43: 157–166 (1978).
D.G. Kline and J.T. Kline, Repetitive calcium transients and the role of calcium in exocytoses and cell cycle activation in the mouse egg, Dev. Biol. 149: 80–89 (1992).
G. Schatten, C. Simmerly, and H. Schatten, Microtubule configurations during fertilization, mitosis, and early development in the mouse and the requirement for egg microtubule-mediated motility during mammalian fertilization, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 82: 4152–4156 (1985).
H. Schatten, C. Simmerly, G. Maul, and G. Schatten, Microtubule assembly is required for the formation of the pronuclei, nuclear lamin acquisition, and DNA synthesis during mouse, but not sea urchin, fertilization, Gamete kes. 23: 309–322 (1989).
B. Maro, M.H. Johnson, M. Webb, and G. Flach, Mechanism of polar body formation in the mouse oocyte: an interaction between the chromosomes, the cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane, J. Embryol. exp. Morphol. 92: 11–32 (1986).
A.K. Tarkowski, Development of single blastomeres, in “Methods in Mammalian Embryology,” J.C. Daniel, ed., Freeman, San Francisco (1971).
A.L. Kung, S.W. Sherwood, and R.T. Schimke, Cell line-specific differences in the control of cell cycle progression in the absence of mitosis, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 87: 9553–9557 (1990).
C.L. Reider and R.E. Palazzo, Colcemid and the mitotic cycle, J. Cell Sci. 102: 387–392 (1992).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Moses, R.M., Masui, Y. (1994). Requirements for Microtubule Polymerization and a Calcium Surge for the Metaphase-to-Interphase Transition in Mature Mouse Oocytes. In: Hu, V.W. (eds) The Cell Cycle. GWUMC Department of Biochemistry Annual Spring Symposia. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2421-2_28
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2421-2_28
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6027-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-2421-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive