Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 20
The Centrosome Life Story
in Xenopus laevis
Jacek Z. Kubiak and Claude Prigent
Abstract Xenopus laevis is a privileged model for the centrosome research, and
cell cycle and developmental studies. Centrosomes are composed of their core
components, the centrioles, surrounded by the pericentriolar material. Like in most
vertebrates, with the exception of the mouse, Xenopus centriole is paternally
inherited. During gametogenesis, spermatozoa retain centrioles, but lose most of
its pericentriolar material, whereas oocytes lose their centrioles, but maintain
centrosomal proteins. Upon fertilization, the sperm centriole is transmitted to the
egg, where it assembles maternal proteins, such as c-tubulin and pericentrin, to
form a biparental functional centrosome. The centrosome formed in a zygote plays
a crucial role in embryo development by providing a novel axis of polarity and
transmission of correct number of MTOCs to all embryonic cells. In partheno-
genetic embryos, which do not inherit paternal centrioles, embryonic development
arrests through the formation of abnormal spindles and chaotic abortive cleavages.
Centrosome assembly and maturation have been extensively studied at the
molecular level in cell-free extracts obtained from Xenopus oocytes, eggs, and
embryos. Studies on Xenopus centrosome have proven very useful for better
understanding of many fundamental functions of centrosomes during embryo
development and in cancers.
J. Z. Kubiak ( & ) C. Prigent
CNRS, UMR 6290, Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes,
35043 Rennes, France
e-mail: jacek.kubiak@univ-rennes1.fr
J. Z. Kubiak C. Prigent
Faculté de Médecine, Université Rennes 1, UEB, IFR 140,
35043 Rennes, France
 
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