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Related Experiment Videos

"Micronucleoli" in the Xenopus germinal vesicle

Z Wu1, J G Gall

  • 1Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution, Baltimore, MD 21210, USA.

Chromosoma
|June 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Xenopus oocyte nucleoli, assembled on amplified rRNA genes, were visualized using a novel fluorescent staining technique. This method revealed varying rDNA copy numbers, from numerous repeats in large nucleoli to few in smaller micronucleoli.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Xenopus oocytes possess numerous extrachromosomal nucleoli, assembled on amplified ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes.
  • These nucleoli vary in size, with some being significantly smaller (micronucleoli) and morphologically resembling B snurposomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and describe a sensitive fluorescent staining technique for visualizing amplified rDNA within Xenopus oocyte nucleoli.
  • To quantify the amount of rDNA present in both large nucleoli and smaller micronucleoli.

Main Methods:

  • A fluorescent staining technique utilizing avidin and propidium iodide was employed.
  • Antibody probes (anti-nucleolin, anti-fibrillarin) were used to distinguish micronucleoli.

Main Results:

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  • The avidin-propidium iodide method effectively visualized rDNA in amplified nucleoli.
  • Large nucleoli exhibited bright staining, suggesting approximately 900 rDNA repeats (12 Mb DNA).
  • Smallest micronucleoli showed minimal staining, indicating a significantly lower number of rDNA repeats.

Conclusions:

  • The developed staining technique allows for sensitive visualization and relative quantification of rDNA in Xenopus oocyte nucleoli.
  • Nucleoli size correlates with the number of rDNA repeats, with micronucleoli containing substantially fewer repeats.