Genetic characterization of the new morphological and UV-sensitive mutants in Coprinus cinereus. I. A UV-sensitive mutation rad 1 associated with elevated frequencies of mitotic and meiotic recombination

Studies on the effect of an UV-sensitive mutation, rad 1, in meiotic and mitotic recombination in Coprinus indicated that, in homozygous condition, rad 1 increased the spontaneous meiotic recombination by 50% and UV-induced mitotic intergenic recombination by about 5-fold. The homozygous rad 1 diploid was shown to be much more sensitive to the recombinogenic effects of polyfunctional than than of mono- or non-functional alkylating agents.     

Giemsa banding and heterochromatin distribution in Ornithogalum.

In Ornithogalum virens, following Giemsa staining, the mitotic chromosomes revealed distinct C-banding pattern. Interphase nucleus also showed 12 chromocentres corresponding to the number of C-bands. Based on the measurements of C-bands, about 13.5% of the genome is heterochromatic.     

Verlust der Proliferationsfähigkeit der Hepatozyten nach subtotaler Hepatektomie

Summary After resection of 90% of liver tissue, no significant increase of thymidine-³H labelling or mitotic index of hepatocytes can be observed in rats. The minimum residual liver mass critical for inducibility of proliferation and, in consequence, essential for survival of rats is more than 10% and less than 18% of the total liver parenchyma.     

Mitotic force generators and chromosome segregation

The mitotic spindle uses dynamic microtubules and mitotic motors to generate the pico-Newton scale forces that are needed to drive the mitotic movements that underlie chromosome capture, alignment and segregation. Here, we consider the biophysical and molecular basis of force-generation for chromosome movements in the spindle, and, with reference to the Drosophila embryo mitotic spindle, we briefly discuss how mathematical modeling can complement experimental analysis to illuminate the mechanisms of chromosome-to-pole motility during anaphase A and spindle elongation during anaphase B.     

Spatial control of mitosis by the GTPase Ran

Mitosis is the most potentially dangerous event in the life of a cell, during which the cell genetic identity is transmitted to daughters; errors at this stage may yield aneuploid cells that can initiate a genetically unstable clone. The small GTPase Ran is the central element of a conserved signaling network that has a prominent role in mitotic regulation. Pioneering studies with amphibian oocytes indicated that Ran, in the GTP-bound form, activates factors that regulate spindle assembly and dynamics. An increasing body of data indicate higher specificity and complexity in mitotic control operated by Ran in somatic cells. Newly identified target factors of Ran operate with different specificity, and it is emerging that mitotic progression requires the precise positioning of Ran network components and effectors at specific sites of the mitotic apparatus according to a highly regulated schedule in space and time. In this review we summarize our current understanding of Ran control of mitosis and highlight the specificity of mechanisms operating in mammalian somatic cells. M. Ciciarello, R. Mangiacasale: These authors contributed equally to this work. Received 29 December 2006; received after revision 13 March 2007; accepted 29 March 2007     

The elegans of spindle assembly

The Caenorhabditis elegans one-cell embryo is a powerful system in which to study microtubule organization because this large cell assembles both meiotic and mitotic spindles within the same cytoplasm over the course of 1 h in a stereotypical manner. The fertilized oocyte assembles two consecutive acentrosomal meiotic spindles that function to reduce the replicated maternal diploid set of chromosomes to a single-copy haploid set. The resulting maternal DNA then unites with the paternal DNA to form a zygotic diploid complement, around which a centrosome-based mitotic spindle forms. The early C. elegans embryo is amenable to live-cell imaging and electron tomography, permitting a detailed structural comparison of the meiotic and mitotic modes of spindle assembly.     

Radioprotective effect of a protein free parathyroid extract on the mitotic index of rat bone marrow cells.

The protective efficacy of an orally administered bovine protein-free parathyroid extract (PF-PTE) was studied on rat bone marrow cells in vivo with the mitotic index after 850 R irradiation. A remarkable decrease was found in the mitotic activity of bone marrow cells after irradiation in the non-protected animals. However, in the animals treated with PF-PTE after irradiation, a significantly smaller decrease and a faster recovery were found in the mitotic activity of the bone marrow cells.     

Radioprotective effect of a protein free parathyroid extract on the mitotic index of rat bone marrow cells

Summary The protective efficacy of an orally administered bovine protein-free parathyroid extract (PF-PTE) was studied on rat bone marrow cells in vivo with the mitotic index after 850 R irradiation. A remarkable decrease was found in the mitotic activity of bone marrow cells after irradiation in the non-protected animals. However, in the animals treated with PF-PTE after irradiation, a significantly smaller decrease and a faster recovery were found in the mitotic activity of the bone marrow cells.     

Effect of diet on the mitotic activity and rate of cytolysis of intestinal epithelial cells in tadpoles of the common toad, Bufo bufo (Amphibia, Anura)]

Effects of diet on the mitotic activity and cellular mortality rate of the intestinal epithelium cells have been examined in Toad tadpoles. As yolk is utilized, the composition of diet has little effect on these 2 parameters. As development goes on, the cellular mortality rate increases with dietary carbohydrate, fat or protein supplementation. But only the fats affect the mitotic activity.     

Über eine selektive Mitosehemmung und -schädigung bei jungen Ratten durch Synthalin A

Summary A single subcutaneous injection of synthalin-A does not affect the cytoplasma ofA-cells in pancreatic islets of the rat during the 1^st–5^th day of life, in contrast to adult animals. Selective action was found on mitoticA-cells: reduction of mitotic frequency to 25% of the normal rate, and pathological mitoses in the sense of the so-called primary effect. The mitoses ofB-cells, exocrine pancreatic cells and intestinal epithelia seemed to be unchanged, although the mitotic rate was higher than inA-cells.     

The effect of aging on rat liver regeneration

Summary The effect of age on hepatocyte mensuration and mitotic activity 48 h after partial hepatectomy was investigated in rats. Both age and partial hepatectomy had significant effects upon hepatocyte counts per microscopic field. The number of hepatocytes per microscopic field declined with age in the control groups of different advancing ages and in the experimental groups of advancing ages. There was essentially no mitotic activity in the livers of the control groups. However, mitotic counts were greatly increased in livers from those animals that were partially hepatectomized; the increase in mitotic activity in the 13-month-old animals was double over that observed in both the very young and the very old.Acknowledgment. This research was supported in part by an Eastern Virginia Medical School Biomedical Research Development Fund. The investigators acknowledge the Gerontology Research Center, NIA, Baltimore, Maryland for their support.     

A combined histochemical and autoradiographic study of the distribution and maturation of peritoneal mast cells in the rat

Summary The relationship of mitotic activity and degree of cytological differentiation for mast cells of the peritoneal cavity of the rat was studied using combined autoradiographic and histochemical techniques. A mitotic pool of mast cells can be differentiated from a non-mitotic pool, the former containing cells with immature cytoplasmic differentiation and the latter with fully developed cytoplasmic histochemical properties.     

Timing of mitosis in Physarum polycephalum: effects of agents affecting cyclic AMP concentrations.

Cultures of Physarum polycephalum incubated with caffeine or theophylline for over 100 min prior to mitosis exhibited mitotic delay proportional to the time of treatment before 100 min. Starved cultures exhibited mitotic delay at times of starvation longer than 180 min and slight stimulation from 100-180 min. Dibutyryl cAMP appeared to accelerate reconstruction of the nucleus following mitosis.     

Effect of cell synchronization techniques on polyamine content of HeLa cells

Summary Synchronized cultures of mitotic HeLa cells were obtained by different protocols and the polyamine content of these cells determined. It was found that the method of synchronization can significantly change the polyamine content of the mitotic cells, and can also alter the time course of polyamine accumulation during the subsequent cell cycle.I acknowledge the receipt of a Medical Research Council studentship.     

Effect of B-chromosomes on the duration of mitotic cycle in pearl millet

Summary Effect of B-chromosomes on the duration of the mitotic cycle was studied by a colchicine shock method in the root-tip cells of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides). 3 B-chromosomes were found to have very little effect, whereas 5 B-chromosomes resulted in an increase of the duration by about 39%.This investigation was financed by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi.     

Genetic characterization of the new morphological and UV-sensitive mutants inCoprinus cinereus. I. A UV-sensitive mutationrad1 associated with elevated frequencies of mitotic and meiotic recombination

Summary Studies on the effect of an UV-sensitive mutation,rad1, in meiotic and mitotic recombination inCoprinus indicated that, in homozygous condition,rad1 increased the spontaneous meiotic recombination by 50% and UV-induced mitotic intergenic recombination by about 5-fold. The homozygousrad1 diploid was shwon to be much more sensitive to the recombinogenic effects of polyfunctional than of mono- or non-functional alkylating agents.This research, carried out in partial fulfilment of Ph.D. requirements at the University of London, was supported by a grant from The School of Public Health, University of Tehran, Iran. My thanks are due to Dr J.W. Cowan for his advice and constructive criticism. I am also indebted to Dr A.B. Borkovec of The Institute of Chemosterilants Laboratory, US Ministry of Agriculture for the most generous supply of aziridinyl phosphine compounds.     

Mitosenverteilung in der larvalen Rumpfepidermis vonSalamandra maculosa Laur.

Summary In the larval epidermal trunk region ofSalamandra maculosa, the total number of mitoses of both sides is approximately the same. This applies to the differentiated Leydig cells as well as to the rest of the epidermis cells.With respect to the meristic segmentation of the trunk, we find within the single segments a regular rise of the mitotic rate, which alternates from one side to the other.From the total number of mitoses found in the epidermis of the trunk, approximately 40% can be accounted for to the dorsal and 60% to the ventral region of the trunk. The number of cells is the same for both the ventral and dorsal region.     

Mitotic inhibition of clathrin-mediated endocytosis

Endocytosis and mitosis are fundamental processes in a cell’s life. Nearly 50 years of research suggest that these processes are linked and that endocytosis is shut down as cells undergo the early stages of mitosis. Precisely how this occurs at the molecular level is an open question. In this review, we summarize the early work characterizing the inhibition of clathrin-mediated endocytosis and discuss recent challenges to this established concept. We also set out four proposed mechanisms for the inhibition: mitotic phosphorylation of endocytic proteins, altered membrane tension, moonlighting of endocytic proteins, and a mitotic spindle-dependent mechanism. Finally, we speculate on the functional consequences of endocytic shutdown during mitosis and where an understanding of the mechanism of inhibition will lead us in the future.     

A simple method for determination of the proportion of 2C and 4C cells in a dormant embryo

Summary Pea embryos grown in the presence of 2.5 mM hydroxyurea from the beginning of imbibition showed a mitotic peak the height of which was considerably less than that of the control, material. Soon after the mitotic peak, there was a complete cessation of mitosis in the treated material. The extent of suppression of mitosis during the first post-dormancy cell cycle caused by hydroxyurea has been used to obtain an estimate of the relative proportion of 2C and 4C cells in the embryo.     

Arresting the mitotic oscillator and the control of cell proliferation: insights from a cascade model for cdc2 kinase activation

We consider a minimal cascade model previously proposed¹¹ for the mitotic oscillator driving the embryonic cell division cycle. The model is based on a bicyclic phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cascade involving cyclin and cdc2 kinase. By constructing stability diagrams showing domains of periodic behavior as a function of the maximum rates of the kinases and phosphatases involved in the two cycles of the cascade, we investigate the role of these converter enzymes in the oscillatory mechanism. Oscillations occur when the balance of kinase and phosphatase rates in each cycle is in a range bounded by two critical values. The results suggest ways to arrest the mitotic oscillator by altering the maximum rates of the converter enzymes. These results bear on the control of cell proliferation.