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Features of programmed cell death in intact Xenopus oocytes and early embryos revealed by near-infrared fluorescence and real-time monitoring.

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Date
2010-01
Authors
Johnson, CE
Freel, CD
Kornbluth, S
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Abstract
Factors influencing apoptosis of vertebrate eggs and early embryos have been studied in cell-free systems and in intact embryos by analyzing individual apoptotic regulators or caspase activation in static samples. A novel method for monitoring caspase activity in living Xenopus oocytes and early embryos is described here. The approach, using microinjection of a near-infrared caspase substrate that emits fluorescence only after its proteolytic cleavage by active effector caspases, has enabled the elucidation of otherwise cryptic aspects of apoptotic regulation. In particular, we show that brief caspase activity (10 min) is sufficient to cause apoptotic death in this system. We illustrate a cytochrome c dose threshold in the oocyte, which is lowered by Smac, a protein that binds thereby neutralizing the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins. We show that meiotic oocytes develop resistance to cytochrome c, and that the eventual death of oocytes arrested in meiosis is caspase-independent. Finally, data acquired through imaging caspase activity in the Xenopus embryo suggest that apoptosis in very early development is not cell-autonomous. These studies both validate this assay as a useful tool for apoptosis research and reveal subtleties in the cell death program during early development. Moreover, this method offers a potentially valuable screening modality for identifying novel apoptotic regulators.
Type
Journal article
Subject
Animals
Apoptosis
Caspases, Effector
Cytochromes c
Embryo, Nonmammalian
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
Fluorescent Dyes
Indoles
Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
Microinjections
Mitochondrial Proteins
Oocytes
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
Xenopus Proteins
Xenopus laevis
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/8380
Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1038/cdd.2009.120
Publication Info
Johnson, CE; Freel, CD; & Kornbluth, S (2010). Features of programmed cell death in intact Xenopus oocytes and early embryos revealed by near-infrared fluorescence and real-time monitoring. Cell Death Differ, 17(1). pp. 170-179. 10.1038/cdd.2009.120. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/8380.
This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Scholars@Duke

Freel

Christopher Freel

Assoc VP, Research
Kornbluth

Sally A. Kornbluth

Jo Rae Wright University Distinguished Professor Emerita
Our lab studies the regulation of complex cellular processes, including cell cycle progression and programmed cell death (apoptosis). These tightly orchestrated processes are critical for appropriate cell proliferation and cell death, and when they go awry can result in cancer and degenerative disorders. Within these larger fields, we have focused on understanding the cellular mechanisms that prevent the onset of mitosis prior to the completion of DNA replication, the process
Alphabetical list of authors with Scholars@Duke profiles.
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