PMID: 6988447Feb 1, 1980Paper

Development of the mitochondrial mass and accumulation of mtDNA in previtellogenic stages of Xenopus laevis oocytes

Journal of Cell Science
J C CallenJ C Mounolou

Abstract

The development of the mitochondrial mass of the previtellogenic oocytes of Xenopus laevis has been analysed by a morphometric method and it has been correlated with the growth of the occyte itself. The study which was performed with oocytes from females of very different ages shows that the relative size of the mitochondrial mass in the smallest oocytes decreases gradually with the age of the females. Cytophotometric analysis of the Feulgen-stained mitochondrial mass enabled the mtDNA content of that structure to be quantified during its development. This development involves about 12 rounds of replication out of the total 16--17 rounds of replication during complete differentiation of large oocytes. It is possible to estimate the mean replication rate of the mtDNA during the course of the previtellogenic period. The calculated rate of replication is very high in the mitochondrial mass of all the growing oocytes of very young females(about 1--2 months old), then it decreases rapidly when the oocytes reach 120 microns in diameter. These results suggest that the mitochondrial masses found in small oocytes of old females do not correspond to sites of active mitochondrial biogenesis but rather they represent a physiologically arre...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.