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The effects of Tunicamycin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose on the development ofXenopus laevis embryos
Alexej Romanovský1, Jindřich Nosek1
1Department of Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, CSSR.
Abstract:
Tunicamycin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose were applied toXenopus laevis embryos in the first cleavage furrow, blastula and early gastrula stages. No effect was observed with 2-deoxy-D-glucose up to the concentration 0.1 M. The effect of Tunicamycin is dose- and stage-dependent. At the concentration of 5 μg/ml cleaving embryos are arrested at the onset of gastrulation and their cells exhibit decreased intercellular adhesivity, while embryos treated in the blastula and early gastrula stages may develop up to the late neurula and tail-bud stage, respectively. Higher concentrations (up to 20 μg/ml) drastically affect cleavage. Concentrations of 4 to 1 μg/ml allow embryos to develop up to more advanced stages; however, developmental defects are the rule. Concentrations of less than 1 μg/ml do not affect development.
Insights
Tunicamycin significantly impacts Xenopus laevis development, causing gastrulation arrest and reduced cell adhesion. The effects of tunicamycin are dose- and stage-dependent, with lower concentrations causing developmental defects.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Cellular processes like glycosylation are crucial for embryonic development.
- Understanding the impact of chemical inhibitors on early development is essential for developmental biology research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of tunicamycin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose on early Xenopus laevis embryonic development.
- To determine the dose- and stage-dependency of tunicamycin's effects on embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- Xenopus laevis embryos were treated with tunicamycin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose at various developmental stages (cleavage, blastula, early gastrula).
- Embryos were observed for developmental progression, cell adhesion, and morphological abnormalities.
Main Results:
- 2-deoxy-D-glucose showed no significant effects up to 0.1 M.
- Tunicamycin exhibited dose- and stage-dependent effects: 5 μg/ml arrested gastrulation and decreased cell adhesion in cleaving embryos.
- Higher tunicamycin concentrations (up to 20 μg/ml) severely disrupted cleavage, while 1-4 μg/ml led to developmental defects in later stages.
Conclusions:
- Tunicamycin is a potent inhibitor of early Xenopus laevis development, affecting gastrulation and cell adhesion.
- The sensitivity of embryonic development to tunicamycin varies significantly with both the dose and the developmental stage of exposure.
