title: Induction of maturation (meiosis) in Xenopus laevis oocytes by three organomercurials.
abstract: Three organomercurials, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, p-hydroxymercuriphenylsulfonate, and mersalyl, induce maturation (meiosis) in a large percentage (20-100 percent) of Xenopus laevis oocytes. Maturation takes place even when the follicle cells which surround the oocytes have been withdrawn. Organomercurial- and progesterone-induced maturations have many features in common: they do not occur when the inducer is injected into the oocytes, they require the presence of Ca++ in the medium, they are inhibited by cycloheximide but not by actinomycin D. In both cases, the maturation producing factor and the pseudomaturation inducing factor are produced. Organomercurial-treated oocytes react normally to activating stimuli; their protein synthesis increases, but uptake of amino acids is strongly inhibited. Progesterone and p-hydroxymercuriphenyl-sulfonate act synergically in inducing maturation. The main difference between the two agents is that p-hydroxymercuriphenylsulfonate must act for several hours, whereas, short contact with progesterone is sufficient to induce maturation.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001557:Benzenesulfonates / Q000494:pharmacology; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D005260:Female; D006902:Hydroxymercuribenzoates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008540:Meiosis; D008628:Mercury / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008634:Mersalyl / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009941:Organomercury Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology*; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D013997:Time Factors; D014981:Xenopus
chemical_list: D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D006902:Hydroxymercuribenzoates; D009941:Organomercury Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010649:Phenylalanine; D011374:Progesterone; D008634:Mersalyl; D008628:Mercury