The clam embryo protein cyclin A induces entry into M phase and the resumption of meiosis in Xenopus oocytes

Katherine I. Swenson, Kevin M. Farrell, Joan V. Ruderman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

427 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fertilized clam embryos synthesize several new cell-cycle-related proteins. The cloned cDNA and derived amino acid sequences of one of these, cyclin A, are presented here. Immunoblots with an anti-cyclin A antibody reveal that cyclin A is undetectable in oocytes, appears within 15 min of fertilization, and is destroyed near the end of each meiosis and mitosis. We directly tested the ability of cyclin A to induce M phase by injecting SP6 cyclin A mRNA into Xenopus oocytes, which are arrested at the G2/M border of first meiosis. The injected mRNA was translated, with the result that the Xenopus oocytes entered meiosis. These findings indicate that the rise in cyclin A plays a direct and natural role in driving cells into M phase.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)861-870
Number of pages10
JournalCell
Volume47
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 26 1986
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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