Abstract
The oocytes of several organisms—most frequently those of the African clawed toad Xenopus laevis—have been used for many years as an excellent system to study regulation of transcription, translation, protein modification processes, secretion, and protein compartmentalization, as well as the expression of heterologous-membrane receptors and their association to specific signaling cascades. Full-grown oocytes are large cells (over 1.2 mm in diameter) that are arrested in late-G2 phase of the first meiosis (Meiosis I), and must progress after physiologrcal stimulus by progesterone to the second meiotrc metaphase (Meiosis II) before fertilization takes place. This process, called oocyte maturation or germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), can be easily visualized by the appearance of a small white spot in the animal pole, a consequence of the dissociation of the nuclear envelope. After GVBD is completed, if the oocytes have been fertilized, DNA synthesis takes places with the consequent initiation of the Meiosis II.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Maller J. L (1990) Xenopus oocytes and the biochemistry of cell dlvlslon Biochemistry 29, 3157–3166
Norbury C and Nurse P (1992) Animal cell cycles and their control Annu Rev Biochem 61, 441–470
Jacobs T (1992) Control of the cell cycle Devl Biol 153, 1–15
Lacal J C. and Carnero A (1994) Regulation of Ras proteins and then mvolvement in signal transduction pathways Oncology Reports 1, 611493
Bauheu E. E, Godeau F, Schorderet M., and Schorderet-Slatkme S (1978) Steroid-mduced melotic dlvlslon in Xenopus laevls oocytes surface and calcium Nature, 275, 593–598
Maller J L and Koontz J. W (1981) A study of the mduction of cell divrsion inamphibian oocytes by insulin. Devl Biol 85, 309–316
Masui Y. and Markert C L (1971) Cytoplasmic control of nuclear behavior during meiotic maturation of frog oocytes J Exp Zoo1 177, 129–146
Smith L D (1989) The mduction of oocyte maturation. transmembrane signaling events and regulation of the cell cycle. Development 107, 685–699.
Sagata N., Daar I, Oskarsson M., Schowalter S. D, and Vande-Woude G. F (1989) The product of the mos proto-oncogene as a candidate “mitiator” for oocyte maturation Science 245, 643–645
Btrchmeyer C, Broek D, and Wigler M. (1985) Ras proteins can induce meiosis in Xenopus oocytes Cell. 43, 615–620
Hollinger T. G. and Alvarez I M. (1982) Trifluoperazme-induced meiotic maturation in Xenopus laevis J Exp Zoo1 224, 461–464
Carnero A. and Lacal J C (1993) Phospholipase-induced maturation of Xenopus laevrs oocytes. Mitogemc activity of generated metabolites. J Cell Biochem 52, 440–448
Cicirelli M. F and Smith L D. (1987) Do calcmm and calmodulin trigger maturation in amphibian oocytes? Devl Biol 121, 48–57
Brizuela L, Draetta G, and Beach D. (1987) p13sucl acts in the fission yeast cell division cycle as a component of the p34cdc2 protein kinase EMBO J 6, 3507–3514.
Kameshita I. and Fujisawa H. (1989) A sensitive method for detection of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity in sodmm dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel. Anal Biochem 183, 139–143
Lacal J. C (1990) Diacylglycerol production in Xenopus laevls oocytes after mmromJection of p2lras proteins is a consequence of activation of phosphatidylcholine metabolism. Mol Cell Biol 10, 333–340.
Carnero A., Liyanage M., Stabel S., and Lacal J. C. (1995) Evidence for different signalling pathways of PKC and ras-p21 m Xenopus oocytes. Oncogene 11, 1541–1547
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1998 Humana Press Inc.
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Lacal, J.C. (1998). Oocytes Microinjection Assay to Study the MAP-Kinase Cascade. In: Bar-Sagi, D. (eds) Transmembrane Signaling Protocols. Methods In Molecular Biology™, vol 84. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/0-89603-488-7:139
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/0-89603-488-7:139
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-488-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-568-6
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols