The sperm-induced Ca2+ wave following fertilization of the Xenopus egg requires the production of Ins(1, 4, 5)P3
Article Abstract:
Researchers used flourescence ratio imaging of fura-2 in the egg of Xenopus laevis to investigate the emergence and spread of the wave of increased free Ca2+ that is ordinarily activated at fertilization, and examined the process by which sperm activate the Ca2+ wave by introducing substances that disrupt the Ins(1, 4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release or Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR). CICR possibly uses the INS(1,4,5)P3 receptor channel, since 25 muM heparin obstructed the activation of the frog eggs that were consistently activated by 1.2 muM Ca2+ injectate, on the condition that the pipet tip was at the egg's center or the cell's boundary.
Publication Name: Developmental Biology
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0012-1606
Year: 1993
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Replication timing and Xenopus 5S RNA gene transcription in vitro
Article Abstract:
A study was conducted on the effect of DNA replication on 5S RNA gene transcription in Xenopus laevis using low-speed sperm and egg nuclei extracts. In the in vitro study, the somatic- and oocyte-type genes were made to replicate in different S-phase compartments and gene expression was dependent on limiting transcription factors. Results revealed that the replication timing of somatic 5S RNA genes were not dependent on transcriptional activity. In addition, the replication process was not found to affect oocyte- and somatic-type 5S RNA genes' differential transcription.
Publication Name: Developmental Biology
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0012-1606
Year: 1993
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The LIM class homeobox gene lim5: implied role in CNS patterning in Xenopus and zebrafish
Article Abstract:
Lim5, a homeobox gene, plays a role in patterning the nervous system in the frog genus Xenopus and in the zebrafish. In particular, it is active in the early specification of the diencephalon. The study reports the isolation of a gene Xlim-5 in Xenopus and lim5 in the zebrafish, which, though highly similar in sequence, has a distinct expression pattern compared to the Xlim-1/lim1 gene. Expression of the lim5 gene in both the frog and fish embryo is quickly limited to an anterior part of the developing neural plate/keel during neurulation.
Publication Name: Developmental Biology
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0012-1606
Year: 1995
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