title: Molecular cloning and characterization of the mRNA for cyclin from sea urchin eggs.
abstract: We have isolated a cDNA clone encoding sea urchin cyclin and determined its sequence. It contains a single open reading frame of 409 amino acids which shows homology with clam cyclins. RNA transcribed in vitro from this sequence was efficiently translated in reticulocyte lysates, yielding full-length cyclin. Injection of nanogram amounts of this synthetic mRNA into Xenopus oocytes caused them to mature more rapidly than with progesterone treatment. The sea urchin cyclin underwent two posttranslational modifications in the Xenopus oocytes during maturation. The first occurred at about the time that maturation became cycloheximide-resistant, when a small apparent increase in the molecular weight of cyclin was observed. The second modification involved destruction of the cyclin at about the time of white spot appearance, just as would have occurred at the metaphase/anaphase transition in the natural environment of a cleaving sea urchin embryo.
authors.affiliation: University of Cambridge, Department of Biochemistry, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pines
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hunt
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016213:Cyclins; D004247:DNA / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005796:Genes; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D012617:Sea Urchins
chemical_list: D016213:Cyclins; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes