Translational control of InsP3-induced chromatin condensation during the early cell cycles of sea urchin embryos

The cycles of DNA synthesis and chromatin condensation in dividing cells are controlled by signals from the cytoplasm. Changes in the concentration of free calcium (Cai) in the cytoplasm control a variety of cellular functions and it has thus been suggested that observed variations in Cai during the cell cycle may be the cytoplasmic signal that co-ordinates nuclear and cytoplasmic division. We show here that increases in Cai induced by the calcium-releasing second messenger inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3), or by calcium buffers, cause premature chromatin condensation and breakdown of the nuclear envelope in sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus) early embryos. Both natural and induced chromatin condensation are prevented by calcium chelators. The nucleus becomes sensitive to the Cai signal 45 min after fertilization, but remains insensitive if protein synthesis is prevented. Our experiments demonstrate that Cai regulates the behaviour of the nucleus during the cell cycle, suggest that Ins(1,4,5)P3 is a cell cycle messenger and indicate that there is an interaction between the protein and ionic signals that control the state of chromatin during the cell cycle.     

辽宁产中国林蛙早期胚胎发育研究

在恒温条件下，观察了辽宁产中国林蛙的正常胚胎发育。根据基外形变化和胚胎主要特征的出现以及胚胎的行为，将其胚胎发育划分为２５个期。从卵子受精开始至蝌蚪的鳃盖闭合，出水孔形成止。１８℃时共历时１５１．５６ｈ。