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Confocal microscopy and 3‐D reconstruction of the cytoskeleton of Xenopus oocytes
Author(s) -
Gard David L.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0029(19990315)44:6<388::aid-jemt2>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - cytoskeleton , microbiology and biotechnology , microtubule , oocyte , confocal microscopy , xenopus , biology , microfilament , tubulin , intermediate filament , actin , confocal , genetics , embryo , physics , cell , optics , gene
Xenopus oocytes contain a complex cytoskeleton composed of three filament systems: (1) microtubules, composed of tubulin and at least three different microtubule‐associated proteins (XMAPs); (2) microfilaments composed of actin and associated proteins; and (3) intermediate filaments, composed of keratins. For the past several years, we have used confocal immunofluorescence microscopy to characterize the organization of the oocyte cytoskeleton throughout the course of oogenesis. Together with computer‐assisted reconstruction of the oocyte in three dimensions, confocal microscopy gives an unprecedented view of the assembly and reorganization of the cytoskeleton during oocyte growth and differentiation. Results of these studies, combined with the effects of cytoskeletal inhibitors, suggest that organization of the cytoskeleton in Xenopus oocytes is dependent upon a hierarchy of interactions between microtubules, microfilaments, and keratin filaments. This article presents a gallery of confocal images and 3‐D reconstructions depicting the assembly and organization of the oocyte cytoskeleton during stages 0‐VI of oogenesis, a discussion of the mechanisms that might regulate cytoskeletal organization during oogenesis, and speculates on the potential roles of the oocyte cytoskeleton during oogenesis and axis formation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 44:388–414, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.