title: Structural and functional modifications of the nucleolus during previtellogenic oocyte growth in the lizard Podarcis sicula.
abstract: In the present study we analyse the nature and the functional significance of the spherical and fibrillo-granular structures appearing in the oocyte nucleus of the lizard Podarcis sicula, following the disappearance of the typical nucleolus. By LM and TEM approaches, we demonstrate that the fibrillo-granuli, containing DNA, RNA and nucleolar proteins, are micronucleoli transcriptionally active and that their DNA is probably derived from nucleolar fragmentation. By contrast, we could not explain the origin and role of the so-called spherical bodies, appearing earlier in oocyte growth; these, in fact, do not contain nucleic acids or nucleolar proteins and do not incorporate uridine. Different possible explanations of their significance are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Evolutive and Comparative Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tammaro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andreuccetti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Filosa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Indolfi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prisco
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Motta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D008116:Lizards / Q000378:metabolism*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D016622:Silver Staining / Q000662:veterinary; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014529:Uridine / Q000378:metabolism; D014818:Vitellogenesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D014529:Uridine