Cortical cytoskeleton of giant moth eggs.
Unfertilized eggs of several species of giant moths contain a substantial cortical cytoskeleton. This structure is assembled during oogenesis, and contains actin as a major fibrillar component. The presence of actin was confirmed by gel electrophoresis and binding to phalloidin, DNase I, and a monoclonal antibody against cytoskeletal actin. Several lines of evidence suggest that the fat body is a source of the actin in the oocyte and that the transport and acquisition of actin by the ovary are similar to the mechanism of vitellogenin acquisition. A possible role for the cortical cytoskeleton in directing early embryogenesis is discussed.
Jarnot
B
B
Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut 06457.
Watson
C
C
Laffan
E
E
Nichols
L
L
Geysen
J
J
Berry
S J
SJ
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology*; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005216:Fat Body / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006031:Glycosylation; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000166:cytology*; D009036:Moths / Q000166:cytology*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011061:Poly A / Q000032:analysis; D011072:Poly U; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014818:Vitellogenesis / Q000502:physiology*
D000199:Actins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011061:Poly A; D011072:Poly U