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Cytokinesis and cytochalasin-induced furrow regression in the first-cleavage zygote of Xenopus laevis

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Summary

The egg cleavage and the cytochalasin effect has been investigated in the first-cleavage zygotes of Xenopus laevis.—Furrow formation results from the joint action of surface constriction, junction formation, and ingrowth of new membrane. During the constriction phase lanthanum-binding exudate is deposited in the furrow gap. This material is distributed in dispersed patches (Ø 200 Å) giving rise to a “bur” surface which coats interdigitating cell protrusions. At places where protrusions meet they form 160 Å wide adherent junctions which provisionally fix the contracted furrow. At the end of the constriction phase (which ultimately accounts for 15 per cent of the reduction in egg diameter in the plane of cleavage) the layer of 100 Å filaments beneath the furrow bottom is split by local ingrowth of new membrane, and the filaments take up lateral positions. Furrow ingrowth proceeds by bilateral insertion of new membrane.

The application of 7.5 μg/ml cytochalasin B (CCB) leads to furrow regression without blocking contractility. CCB primarily affects the cell surface, and only indirectly affects the microfilament system. It interferes with cell junction formation and deranges furrow ingrowth. In the absence of stable 160 Å wide, adherent junctions the new membrane grows outwards instead of inwards. The results are discussed with reference to furrow regression induced by other membrane-destabilizing agents such as phospholipase C. Comparison reveals that CCB in addition facilitates the insertion of new cell membrane—. To interpret the biological effects of cytochalasin an alternative working hypothesis is presented, which meets the objections that can be raised against the concept that cytochalasin B specifically interferes with thin microfilaments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hubrecht Laboratory, International Embryological Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    John G. Bluemink

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  1. John G. Bluemink
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Dedicated with deep respect to Prof. Dr. Chr. P. Raven at the occasion of his 65th birthday.

I thank Dr. S. B. Carter for a supply of cytochalasin B. I am grateful to my fellow-staff members of the Hubrecht Laboratory, and in particular to Prof. P. D. Nieuwkoop, for constructive criticism and valuable suggestions. I should like to thank Mr. E. van Voorst for his technical assistance, and Miss Eva Bartová, Mr. L. Boom and Mr. R. Tokaya for preparing the prints and the drawing. I am also indebted to Dr. J. Faber for editorial assistance, and to Drs. P. H. Ververgaert for his help in carrying out the densitometric measurements.

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Bluemink, J.G. Cytokinesis and cytochalasin-induced furrow regression in the first-cleavage zygote of Xenopus laevis . Z. Zellforsch. 121, 102–126 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00330921

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