Visualization of the cytoskeleton in Xenopus oocytes and eggs by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy

Xelopus oocytes and eggs are popular models for studying the developmental and cellular mechanisms of RNA localization, axis specification and establishment, and nuclear envelope assembly/disassembly. However, their large size and opacity hamper application of many techniques commonly used for studying cell structure and organization, including immunofluorescence and other techniques of fluorescence microscopy. In this chapter, we describe techniques and procedures that we have used to preserve, stain, and view the cytoskeleton in Xenopus oocytes and eggs by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy.