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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Chromatin Spread Preparations for the Analysis of Mouse Oocyte Progression from Prophase to Metaphase II
Published on: February 26, 2018
Interchromatin granule clusters in vitellogenic oocytes of the flesh fly, Sarcophaga sp
Dmitry Bogolyubov1, Irina Stepanova
1Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia. dmitr@mail.cytspb.rssi.ru
Abstract:
Insect oocyte nuclei contain different extrachromosomal nuclear bodies including Cajal bodies and interchromatin granule clusters (IGCs). In the present study, we describe IGC equivalents in the vitellogenic oocytes of the flesh fly, Sarcophaga sp. These structures were found to consist of 20-40-nm granules and also include the fibrillar areas of high and low electron density. Immunogold labeling electron microscopy revealed IGC marker protein SC35, Sm proteins, and trimethylguanosine cap of small nuclear (sn) RNAs in these bodies. Antibody against the non-phosphorylated RNA polymerase II selectively labeled the fibrillar areas of low electron density located inside the IGCs.
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