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Xenopus laevis Egg Extract Preparation and Live Imaging Methods for Visualizing Dynamic Cytoplasmic Organization
Published on: June 6, 2021
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Robust trigger wave speed in Xenopus cytoplasmic extracts
Jo-Hsi Huang1, Yuping Chen2,3, William Y C Huang2
1Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. johsi@stanford.edu.
Nature Communications
|July 10, 2024
Summary
Trigger waves in cytoplasm maintain consistent speed despite concentration changes, ensuring reliable cellular communication. This robustness is crucial for rapid embryonic cell cycles.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Self-regenerating trigger waves provide reliable long-range communication within the cytoplasm.
- Cytoplasmic macromolecular concentration fluctuates due to physiological and environmental changes, potentially impacting wave propagation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the robustness of trigger wave speeds amidst cytoplasmic concentration variations.
- To understand the mechanisms underlying trigger wave speed invariance.
- To explore the implications for embryonic cell cycle reliability.
Main Methods:
- Experiments using Xenopus egg extracts to observe trigger wave propagation.
- Development of a mathematical model to explain observed wave behaviors.
- Manipulation of cytoplasmic viscosity to test model predictions.
Main Results:
- Mitotic and apoptotic trigger wave speeds were found to be remarkably invariant across a range of cytoplasmic concentrations.
- A derived model accurately predicted wave speed robustness and slowing at extreme concentrations.
- Artificially maintaining constant cytoplasmic viscosity eliminated trigger wave speed robustness during dilution.
Conclusions:
- The balance between increased reactant concentration and increased viscosity in the cytoplasm explains trigger wave speed robustness.
- This robustness is vital for the consistent and rapid progression of the embryonic cell cycle.
- Trigger wave dynamics are resilient to cytoplasmic fluctuations, ensuring functional cellular signaling.
