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Separation of microvilli from Tubifex eggs upon activation: Its inhibition by concanavalin A hinders ooplasmic segregation and cleavage
Author(s) -
Shimizu Takashi
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
development, growth and differentiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.864
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1440-169X
pISSN - 0012-1592
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-169x.1997.t01-3-00014.x
Subject(s) - tubifex , microfilament , concanavalin a , microbiology and biotechnology , polar body , cleavage (geology) , meiosis , embryo , chemistry , meiosis ii , tubifex tubifex , biology , mitosis , gastrulation , biophysics , biochemistry , embryogenesis , oocyte , cell , ecology , cytoskeleton , paleontology , fracture (geology) , gene , in vitro
The surface of mature eggs of the freshwater oligochaete Tubifex exhibits numerous microvilli. Upon activation, microvilli become narrower at their base and separated from the ooplasmic surface. Here it is shown that concanavalin A (Con A) reversibly inhibits the separation of microvilli from activated Tubifex eggs. The Con A‐treated eggs undergo meioses and mitoses at a normal rate. Microvilli on these eggs change their length in a meiotic cycle‐dependent manner; their core bundles of microfilaments elongate significantly during the second meiosis. The Con A‐treated eggs fail to complete polar body formation, ooplasmic segregation and cleavages. Treatment with Con A of eggs that have accomplished microvillar separation does not exert any inhibitory effect on their development. Succinyl‐Con A, a dimeric derivative of Con A, does not prevent microvillar separation, suggesting that the tetravalent form of Con A is essential for Con A to exert its inhibitory effect on microvillar separation.