Dynamic changes in the tubulin cytoskeleton during oogenesis and early development in the anuran amphibian Xenopus laevis (Daudin).
In order to find proper methods for preservation and visualization of tubulin-containing structures we applied different chemical fixation protocols, embedding and staining methods, as well as some methods of microtubule cytoskeleton preparation. As an example we studied the dynamics of such structures in growing oocytes, fertilized eggs and cleaving eggs of Xenopus laevis, using various immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase reactions. The results were evaluated and compared with results from CLSM studies by different authors, which let us suggest some reliable protocols for preservation and visualization of various tubulin-containing structures in animal cells. The origin and progressive complexity of these structures in the developing amphibian oocyte and fertilized egg is closely related to the origin of embryonic polarities and, because of that, to embryonic pattern formation.
Palecek
J
J
Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
Ubbels
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GA
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D005404:Fixatives; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009865:Oocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000502:physiology*
D005404:Fixatives; D014404:Tubulin