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Cytoplasmic Streaming in the Drosophila Oocyte
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095;
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
|July 1, 2016
Summary
Cytoplasmic streaming, a third mode of intracellular transport, moves objects with bulk cytoplasmic flow. This review explores the mechanisms and physiological roles of slow and fast streaming in the Drosophila oocyte.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Intracellular transport is crucial for cellular function.
- Objects move via diffusion, active transport, or advection.
- Advection relies on cytoplasmic streaming, common in large cells like oocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of cytoplasmic streaming.
- To explain the differentiation between slow and fast streaming.
- To discuss the physiological roles of streaming in oocyte development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on cytoplasmic streaming.
- Analysis of observations in large cells, specifically the Drosophila oocyte.
- Discussion of implicated cellular processes like polarity establishment and mixing.
Main Results:
- Two distinct stages of streaming occur in the Drosophila oocyte: slow during mid-oogenesis and fast during late oogenesis.
- Streaming is approximately ten times faster in late oogenesis compared to mid-oogenesis.
- These streaming flows are essential for polarity establishment and intracellular mixing.
Conclusions:
- Cytoplasmic streaming is a significant mode of intracellular transport.
- Understanding the regulation of streaming speed is key to comprehending its roles.
- Streaming plays vital physiological roles in oocyte development, including polarity and mixing.
