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Role of soluble myosin in cortical contractions of Xenopus eggs

Nature volume 310, pages 150–151 (1984)Cite this article

Abstract

The layer of cytoplasm underlying the plasmalemma of Xenopus eggs has contractile activity which is of vital importance in fertilization and early development, being involved in such processes as sperm engulfment, cortical granule exocytosis, development of the axes of embryonic symmetry and cleavage1–3. In amphibian eggs this layer is also involved in wound healing and changes of cellular shape at gastrulation4–6. Two kinds of contractile structures can be distinguished near the surface of Xenopus eggs7,8. To characterize the mechanism and regulation of this contractile activity, we have experimentally induced cortical contractions in bisected living Xenopus eggs. We have shown previously that cortical contractions are induced by calcium ions in the bisected egg7. Here we show that extraction of soluble cytoplasmic components prevents the calcium-induced contractions, but that addition of exogenous soluble myosin restores them. In oocytes, both soluble and insoluble components of the cortical cytoplasm are unable to support contraction. Thus, during meiotic maturation of oocytes into eggs, both of the components of the cortical cytoplasm must change so as to become competent for contraction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York, 11794, USA

    Kathy Christensen, Roger Sauterer & R. W. Merriam

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  1. Kathy Christensen
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  2. Roger Sauterer
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  3. R. W. Merriam
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Christensen, K., Sauterer, R. & Merriam, R. Role of soluble myosin in cortical contractions of Xenopus eggs. Nature 310, 150–151 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/310150a0

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