• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 2001

Rana ovarian follicles consist of oocyte, vitelline envelope, granulosa cells, and theca/epithelial layer. Using scanning electron microscopy, the surface structure of each follicular component was investigated. Changes in oocyte surface during oocyte maturation were also examined. Theca/epithelial layer was almost transparent and some blood vessels and granulosa cells were observed underneath in intact follicle. The number of granulosa cells was estimated to be 6700-7200 per oocyte. The granulosa cells partially overlapped each other and their microvilli penetrated the vitelline membrane via holes present in the vitelline envelope and seemed to be linked to oocyte microvilli. After removal of the vitelline envelope by microforcep, oocyte microvilli were observed on the surface of the devitellined oocyte. The oocyte microvilli formed partial clusters on the surface of white spot area which appears iust before germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), whereas they were evenly distributed in other areas. The microvilli became shorter and less dense with oocyte maturation. The lengths of oocyte microvilli in the immature and mature oocyte were 1.5 $\mu$m and 0.6 $\mu$m, respectively. The present study suggests a fundamental structural change occurring on the oocyte surface during maturation.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.71-75
• /
• 2001

Spin is an abundant maternal transcript comprising up to 0.2% of the total mRNA stock in mouse oocyte, whose protein product is associated with the meiotic spindle. We have identified a new isoform of Spin transcript containing a distinct 5'-untranslated region and the N-terminus of encoded protein. Northern blot and RT-PCR analysis showed that the new isoform is expressed in embryos and most of adult tissues, while the previously identified transcript is expressed solely in mouse oocyte. We thus designated these two Spin isoforms as somatic type and oocyte type, respectively. To investigate the underlying mechanism for the differential expression, genomic structure of Spin was examined. Spin exists as multiple copies in the genome, some of which appears to be pseudogenes, and characterization of Spin genomic clones indicates that oocyte- and somatic-isoforms were generated by alternative splicing. The complex organization of Spin genomic locus and its multifaceted control of expression provide a good model to study the molecular mechanisms of elaborate genome usage in mammals.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.147-157
• /
• 2011

The meiotic process from the primordial stage to zygote in female germ cells is mainly adjusted by post-transcriptional regulation of pre-existing maternal mRNA and post-translational modification of proteins. Several key proteins such as the cell cycle regulator, Cdk1/cyclin B, are post-translationally modified for precise control of meiotic progression. The second messenger (cAMP), kinases (PKA, Akt, MAPK, Aurora A, CaMK II, etc), phosphatases (Cdc25, Cdc14), and other proteins (G-protein coupled receptor, phosphodiesterase) are directly or indirectly involved in this process. Many proteins, such as CPEB, maskin, eIF4E, eIF4G, 4E-BP, and 4E-T, post-transcriptionally regulate mRNA via binding to the cap structure at the 5' end of mRNA or its 3' untranslated region (UTR) to generate a closed-loop structure. The 3' UTR of the transcript is also implicated in post-transcriptional regulation through an association with proteins such as CPEB, CPSF, GLD-2, PARN, and Dazl to modulate poly(A) tail length. RNA interfering is a new regulatory mechanism of the amount of mRNA in the mouse oocyte. This review summarizes information about post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.16-23
• /
• 2007

Oocyte surface in two Korean minnows, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus and R. kumgangensis was examined by light and electron microscope. In two species, the development of the oocyte was similar, but the follicular layer surrounding full-grown oocyte showed an evident difference. In R. oxycephalus, the follicular layer at the yolk vesicle stage became bilaminar with the retention of its outer squamous cell layer and the acquisition of an inner cuboidal or round cell layer just over the zona radiata. As the oocyte grows, the cuboidal cells of the inner follicular layer began to be replaced by columnar cells. At the yolk granule stage, the columnar cells secreted mucin to their cytoplasm (adhesive materials) and then surround the entire oocyte, as bundles of fence-shaped structures. Whereas, although the follicular layer of R. kumgangensis had an outer squamous layer and an inner cuboidal or round cell layer at the yolk vesicles as in R. oxycephalus, no inner cells were more changed with the retention of its cuboidal or round cells. Finally, in R. kumgangensis, the adhesive materials did not occur. In Korean two minnows, the structural difference in the oocyte surface seems to be related to their habitats and spawning characteristics as well as taxonomic characters.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.87-101
• /
• 1975

Electron microscopic studies on the ultrastructure of the mouse oocyte were made to investigate the inhibition of germinal vesicle breakdown by dibutyryl cAMP. The nuclear membrane of the dibutyryl cAMP-treated oocyte is characterized by a decreased degree of folding, maintains the normal double membrane structure, and shows an increased occurrence of the nuclear pore. It is suggested that these may be related to the suppression of the maturation of oocytes at the germinal vesicle. Mitochondria in the control cell were shown to be spread evenly throughout the cytoplasm and structurally underdeveloped or transitionary having little cristae development. On the contrary, mitochondria in the treated oocyte were found to be localized mainly around the nucleus and to show a greater extent of cristae development. The oocyte treated with dibutyryl cAMP appears to have fewer and structurally simpler lysosomes as compared to the control. The Golgi complex in the control oocyte exhibits the typical granular and lamellar structure, whereas that in the treated cell is poorly developed. Many multivesicular bodies, tonofilaments, and free ribosomes were observed in the control as well as in treated cells. The microvilli become structurally irregular, and a development of the perivitelline space is apparent in the treated oocyte. It is concluded that there is no basic difference in the ultrastructure between the oocytes treated with dibutyryl cAMP for 24 hours in the medium and those collected directly from the follicle. However, the finding that dibutyryl cAMP induces a development of more pores along the nuclear membrane strongly suggests the possibility that this compound inhibits the maturation of oocytes by influencing the permeability of the nuclear membrane.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.19-23
• /
• 2001

The full-grown oocyte envelope of the two spined loaches, Niwaella multifasciata and Kichulchoia brevifasciata, was examined by electron microscopy. The oocyte is surrounded by its envelope, and an external modification (an adhesive structure) in the surface of the envelope is present. The envelope consists of two layers, a zona radiata externa which is the site of the adhesive structure, and a zona radiata interna, which has heterogeneous, electron-dense multi layers. The surface (zona radiata externa) of the envelope in N. multifasciata is equipped with short villuslike protuberances, which have a length of 1.5~2.5 ${\mu}m$ and are separated from each other by a distance of 2~2.5 ${\mu}m$. In contrast, K. brevifasciata has undulating or wave-like structures that extend over the entire oocyte surface. The waves are 1.5~2.5 ${\mu}m$ in length and are separated a distance of 2.5~3.3 ${\mu}m$ from each other.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.177-184
• /
• 2010

The structure of the ovary, ultrastructure of oocytes and morphological characteristics of vitellogenesis during oogenesis in female Gomphina veneriformis were investigated in clams collected from coastal waters of Samchok, Gangwon-do, Kore. In the previtellogenic oocytes, the Golgi complex was involved in the formation of a number of vacuoles. In the early vitellogenic oocytes, lipid droplets appeared among the Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria in the cytoplasm of the oocyte were involved in the formation of lipid droplets. Coated vesicles, resulting from endocytosis appeared at the basal region of the early vitellogenic oocyte. The uptake of nutritive materials in the coated vesicles formed by receptor-mediated endocytosis appeared through the formation of coated endocytotic pits on the oolemma. In the late vitellogenic oocytes, large yolk granules were formed by a combination of small yolk granules. In the mature oocyte, a mature yolk granule in composed of three components: crystaline core, electron lucent cortex, and a limiting membrane. According to cytological and histological observations, vitellogenesis occurred by way of endogenous autosynthesis and exogenous heterosynthesis. Autosynthesis involved the conbined activities of the Golgi complex, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, whereas heterosynthesis involved endocytotic incorporation of extraovarian precursors at the basal region of the early vitellogenic oocyte. The follicle cells which was attached to oocytes, were involved in the development of the previtellogenic and early vitellogenic oocytes as a kind of nutritive cells containing a number of glycogen particles and lipid droplets in the cytoplasm.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 2007

The ovarian structure and ultrastructural changes in germ cells during oogenesis of the spiny top shell, Batillus cornutus, have been investigated by light and electron microscopic observations. Specimens of the spiny top shell were collected from the subtidal zone of Wando, south coast of Korea. Spiny top shell was dioecious. The ovary was located on the surface of the hepatopancreas in the spiral posterior region. The ovary had greenish color in the gonadal mature season. The ovary comprised many ovarian lobules, and the ovarian lobule consisted of connective mesenchymal tissue and epithelial cells. Oogonium had a large nucleus with nucleolus of high electron density. In previtellogenic oocyte, small yolk granules of low electron density were scattered in the cytoplasm. Oocytes in the initial vitellogenic stage were connected with the ovarian lobule by egg stalk. The result of TEM observations showed that initial vitellogenic oocyte contained well-developed Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticula, tubular mitochondria and numerous yolk granules of various electron densities and sizes. The electron density, size and quantity of yolk granules which were distributed in the active vitellogenic oocyte were increased compared to the previous stage. Thickness of egg envelope in the late active vitellogenic oocyte was approximately 4.4 $[\mu}m$. Cytoplasm of ripe oocyte was filled with proteid yolk globules of high electron density and lipid yolk globules of low electron density. In this stage, the thickness of egg envelope was approximately 6.5 ${\mu}m$.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.318-326
• /
• 1988

여포세포에서 합성된 난황단백질이 난모세포로 이동하는 동안에 난황체가 이 두 종류의 세포사이에 형성되었다가 결국은 난황막으로 전환한다. 단계7까지는 뚜렷하게 보이던 난모세포막과 여포세포막이 소멸되고 그 자리에 전자 밀도가 높은 난황체 물질이 산만하게 축적된다. 난황체는 단계9에서 막성 구조의 일종인 linkage bridge로 둘러싸여 단계11까지는 두께가 5∼7um가 되리 만큼 성숙한다. 단계13에서 난황체는 비로소 난황막으로 전환되는데, 이때 난황막의 두께는 겨우 1 U m에 지나지 않는다. 이러한 두깨의 감소는 난황체 물질이 다량 난모세포 쪽으로 이동한 것으로 생각 되었다. coated vesicle을 포함한 다양한 종류의 과립이 난황체 양쪽에서 관찰되었는데, 난모세포쪽에 출현한 과립은 난황체 물질이 난모세포로 이동되는 구조로 해석되었고 여포 세포쪽에서 관찰된 과립은 주로 난황체의 전자밀도와 동일한 점으로보아 여포세포에서 합성되어 난황체를 형성하는 물질로 이루어진 구조로 해석되었다. As yolk proteins are transported from !he follicle cells into oocvtes, vitelline body forms and changes into a vitelline membrane between the ko celt types during the vitellogenic period. Cell membranes of oocyte and follicle cells surrounding the oocyte disappear at stage 7 and high electron-dense substance of vitelline body simultaneously accumulates sporadically between the cell types. The vitelline body becomes surrounded by linkage bridge, a membranous structure, at stage 9 and greatly increases in thickness to be 5-7 U m thick at stage 11. At stage 13 the vitelline body becomes vitelline membrane, which is now only 1 U m thick, suggesting that much of the substance of the vitelline body has been transported into oocyte. Various types of vesicles including coated vesicles were observed at both sides of th vitelline body. The vesicles occurred at the side of oocyte were interpreted to be structures transported from the vitelline body into oocyte, whereas those found at the side of the follicle cells were thought to be structures made in the follicle cells and fused into the vitelline body.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.130-134
• /
• 2002

The ovary of the rockfish, Sebastes inermis was cystovarian condition and consists of numerous ovarian lobules. Previtellogenic oocytes were embedded in the connective tissue of the ovarian lobules. As the oocytes grows, it protruded into the ovarian cavity and form grapes cluster-like structure with egg stalk-like structure. Yolk granules and zona radiata were not observed in the embedded early oocytes about 20 $\mu$m in diameter. In the oocytes about 80 $\mu$m in diameter, yolk granules with electron dense were abundant in the ooplasm near the egg stalk-like structure. However, pinocytosis was not obsened in the pore canal system of the zona radiata. In this stage, microfilaments, developed endoplasmic reticula, tubular mitochondria, granular materials with low electron density and active multivesicular bodies were observed in the egg stalk-like structure. This results suggest that the egg stalk-like structure of the rockfish are related with the oocyte attachment and exogenous vitellogenesis of the intial vitellogenic oocyte.