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Preparation and Fractionation of Xenopus laevis Egg Extracts
Published on: August 27, 2008
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Isolation of plasma membranes from Xenopus embryos
Günther Bretzel1, Jutta Janeczek1, Jochen Born1
1Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, D-1000, Berlin 33.
Summary
Researchers isolated plasma membranes from Xenopus gastrulae using sucrose gradients. These isolated membranes showed low neural inducing activity compared to other cell components.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cell biology
- Xenopus laevis research
Background:
- Plasma membranes are crucial for cell signaling and development.
- Understanding Xenopus gastrulae development requires characterizing its cellular components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize plasma membranes from Xenopus gastrulae.
- To assess the neural inducing activity of isolated plasma membranes.
Main Methods:
- High-yield isolation of plasma membranes using discontinuous sucrose gradients.
- Separation of yolk via low-speed sedimentation.
- Surface labeling with diazoniobenzene sulphonate.
- Analysis by electron microscopy and enzymatic markers.
Main Results:
- Plasma membranes were successfully isolated in high yield.
- Isolated plasma membranes exhibited low neural inducing activity.
- Comparison with other cellular constituents revealed differential activity.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully isolated plasma membranes from Xenopus gastrulae.
- The findings suggest that plasma membranes play a limited role in neural induction compared to other cellular fractions.
