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A cdk1 gradient guides surface contraction waves in oocytes.

Johanna Bischof1, Christoph A Brand2, Kálmán Somogyi1

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Surface contraction waves (SCWs) in starfish oocytes are driven by a myosin II band. This process is regulated by cell cycle factors and actomyosin contractility, controlling cell shape changes.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Surface contraction waves (SCWs) are crucial for large-scale shape changes in oocytes and embryos.
  • These shape changes are coupled to cell cycle transitions and spatially coordinated with the cell axis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms generating and patterning SCWs in starfish oocytes.
  • To understand the roles of cell cycle regulation and actomyosin contractility in SCW formation.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative imaging
  • Biochemical perturbations
  • Mechanical perturbations
  • Mathematical modeling

Main Results:

  • SCWs are generated by a traveling band of myosin II-driven cortical contractility.
  • Contractility is regulated by the RhoA/RhoA kinase/myosin II pathway, with spatiotemporal control by a cdk1-cyclinB gradient.
  • The SCW's directionality and speed are determined by the cdk1-cyclinB gradient, originating from the nucleus and cyclinB degradation.

Conclusions:

  • SCWs result from the spatiotemporal integration of cell cycle regulation (cdk1-cyclinB) and actomyosin contractility (RhoA/Rok/NMYII).
  • This integration provides a conserved mechanism for patterning cell shape changes during oocyte development.