Two distinct mechanisms control the accumulation of cyclin B1 and Mos in Xenopus oocytes in response to progesterone.

Progesterone-induced meiotic maturation of Xenopus oocytes requires the synthesis of new proteins, such as Mos and cyclin B. Synthesis of Mos is thought to be necessary and sufficient for meiotic maturation; however, it has recently been proposed that newly synthesized proteins binding to p34(cdc2) could be involved in a signaling pathway that triggers the activation of maturation-promoting factor. We focused our attention on cyclin B proteins because they are synthesized in response to progesterone, they bind to p34(cdc2), and their microinjection into resting oocytes induces meiotic maturation. We investigated cyclin B accumulation in response to progesterone in the absence of maturation-promoting factor-induced feedback. We report here that the cdk inhibitor p21(cip1), when microinjected into immature Xenopus oocytes, blocks germinal vesicle breakdown induced by progesterone, by maturation-promoting factor transfer, or by injection of okadaic acid. After microinjection of p21(cip1), progesterone fails to induce the activation of MAPK or p34(cdc2), and Mos does not accumulate. In contrast, the level of cyclin B1 increases normally in a manner dependent on down-regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase but independent of cap-ribose methylation of mRNA.

Nature of progesterone action on amino acid uptake by isolated full-grown oocyte of Xenopus laevis.

L-leucine uptake into full-grown oocytes of Xenopus laevis is a saturable process which is Na+ dependent and presumably coupled to Na+ gradient. Our results indicate that progesterone (10(-6) M) Blocks abruptly, around the germinal vesicle breakdown, the saturable transport of L-leucine. p-Chloromercuribenzoate (10(-4) M) induces maturation and after a short lag of time strongly inhibits L-leucine uptake. Cycloheximide prevents progesterone-induced maturation and permeability changes.

Cyclic AMP synthesis in Xenopus laevis oocytes: inhibition by progesterone.

[alpha-32P]ATP was microinjected into Xenopus oocyte and neosynthesized cyclic AMP was isolated. Cholera toxin inhibited progesterone-induced maturation and stimulated after 3 h of preincubation the amount of neosynthesized cyclic AMP. Progesterone decreased the neosynthesis of cyclic AMP during the first hour following addition of the hormone.

Identification of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) in Xenopus oocyte.

Microtubules were isolated from prophase-blocked oocytes of Xenopus laevis with the use of the anti-tumor drug taxol. In addition to tubulin, 5 microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) were characterized. Among them, 2 high molecular mass proteins (200-300 kDa) are phosphorylated in ovo. The oocyte MAP extract promotes the assembly of rat brain 6 S purified tubulin.

Okadaic acid, a specific protein phosphatase inhibitor, induces maturation and MPF formation in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Micro-injection of, or incubation with okadaic acid (OA), a specific phosphatase inhibitor, can induce formation of maturation-promoting factor (MPF) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Comparison of the dose-response curves of OA on maturation, isolated enzymes and phosphatase activities in crude oocyte preparations suggests that inhibition of both polycation-stimulated (PCS) and ATP,Mg-dependent (AMD) phosphatases is sufficient but requires that a critical phosphorylation level is attained of one or several of their substrates, resulting in the formation of active MPF and meiotic maturation.

Pertussis toxin facilitates the progesterone-induced maturation of Xenopus oocyte. Possible role of protein phosphorylation.

Progesterone triggers the first meiotic cell division of Xenopus oocyte and inhibits cAMP synthesis. The effect of pertussis toxin purified from Bordetella pertussis was tested on the maturation of Xenopus oocyte. The toxin did not inhibit progesterone-induced resumption of meiosis or the hormone-induced drop in cAMP level. This indicates that progesterone action is not mediated by the Ni subunit of the oocyte adenylate cyclase. Furthermore, pertussis toxin caused a reduction in the time course of maturation correlated with the precocious appearance of an alkali stable 47 kDa phosphoprotein, a marker of the maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity. Pertussis toxin effects mimicked those of 2-glycerophosphate suggesting that both agents act on the steady-state level of phosphorylation implicated in MPF activity.

Inhibition of glycosphingolipid synthesis induces p34cdc2 activation in Xenopus oocyte.

In Xenopus prophase-blocked oocytes, it is assumed that progesterone interacts with the plasma membrane to initiate a signalling cascade that ultimately leads to MPF activation. Progesterone regulates negatively the cAMP pathway through an inhibition of adenylate cyclase. However, the mechanisms linking the initial action of the hormone with adenylate cyclase activity remain to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that PDMP, an inhibitor of glucosphingolipid synthesis, triggers oocyte meiotic maturation in a cAMP- and cycloheximide-dependent manner, whereas exogenous ceramide is unefficient. We propose that sphingolipid metabolism and targeting represent an important regulatory process of oocyte meiosis.

Direct activation of protein phosphatase-2A0 by HIV-1 encoded protein complex NCp7:vpr.

The effects of HIV-1 encoded proteins NCp7, vpr and NCp7:vpr complex on the activity of protein phosphatase-2A0 have been tested. We report that NCp7 is an activator of protein phosphatase-2A0 and that vpr activated protein phosphatase-2A0 only slightly. We also report that NCp7 and vpr form a tight complex which becomes a more potent activator of protein phosphatase-2A0 than NCp7 alone. The ability of NCp7 to activate protein phosphatase-2A0 is regulated by vpr. The C-terminal portion of vpr prevents NCp7 from activating protein phosphatase-2A0 while the N-terminal portion of vpr potentiates the effect of NCp7 on the activity of protein phosphatase-2A0. Our findings indicate that vpr may be acting as a targeting subunit which directs NCp7 to activate protein phosphatase-2A0. In view of the fact that protein phosphatase-2A functions as an inhibitor of G0 to M transition of the cell cycle and is involved in other key cellular processes such as the control of RNA transcription, the results presented in this report may explain how HIV-1 causes cell cycle arrest which may lead to CD4+ T cell depletion and also how it disturbs normal cellular processes of its host cell.

A purified complex from Xenopus oocytes contains a p47 protein, an in vivo substrate of MPF, and a p30 protein respectively homologous to elongation factors EF-1 gamma and EF-1 beta.

A high molecular mass complex isolated from Xenopus laevis oocytes contains three main proteins, respectively p30, p36 and p47. The p47 protein has been reported to be an in vivo substrate of the cell division control protein kinase p34cdc2. From polypeptide sequencing, we now show that the p30 and the p47 correspond to elongation factor EF-1 beta and EF-1 gamma. Furthermore, the p30 and p36 proteins were phosphorylated in vitro by casein kinase II.

Early increase of a 105,000-dalton phosphoprotein during meiotic maturation of Xenopus laevis oocyte.

In ovo [32P] phosphoproteins were analyzed during meiotic maturation of Xenopus laevis oocytes. A phosphoprotein of 105,000-dalton was found to increase early (one hour) after progesterone induction of meiosis. The pure heat-stable inhibitor (PKI) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, which induces maturation, was microinjected into oocytes. Again the early increase in the 105,000-dalton [32P] phosphoprotein occurred. The burst in protein phosphorylation, which takes place at the period of germinal vesicle breakdown, was quantitatively and qualitatively comparable in progesterone and PKI-stimulated oocytes. In order to confirm the inverse relationship between the 105,000 dalton [32P] phosphoprotein increase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity, purified C-subunit of the kinase has been microinjected into oocytes. C-subunit which inhibits maturation did not increase significantly the 105,000-dalton [32P] phosphoprotein whereas it increased the total level of in ovo phosphorylation. Enucleation experiments favour the localization of the 105,000-dalton protein in both the oocyte cytoplasm and nucleus. Furthermore the progesterone-induced increase in the phosphorylation of the 105,000-dalton protein was found in the cytoplasmic compartment after oocyte enucleation.

A Theileria parva type 1 protein phosphatase activity.

The protozoan parasite Theileria (spp. parva and annulata) infects bovine leukocytes and provokes a leukaemia-like disease in vivo. In this study, we have detected a type 1 serine/threonine phosphatase activity with phosphorylase a as a substrate, in protein extracts of parasites purified from infected B lymphocytes. In contrast to this type 1 activity, dose response experiments with okadaic acid (OA), a well characterised inhibitor of type 1 and 2A protein phosphatases, indicated that type 2A is the predominant activity detected in host B cells. Furthermore, consistent with polycation-specific activation of the type 2A phosphatase, protamine failed to activate the parasite-associated phosphorylase a phosphatase activity. Moreover, inhibition of phosphorylase a dephosphorylation by phospho-DARPP-32, a specific type 1 inhibitor, clearly demonstrated that a type 1 phosphatase is specifically associated with the parasite, while the type 2A is predominantly expressed in the host lymphocyte. Since an antibody against bovine catalytic protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) subunit only recognised the PP1 in B cells, but not in parasite extracts, we conclude that in parasites the PP1 activity is of parasitic origin. Intriguingly, since type 1 OA-sensitive phosphatase activity has been recently described in Plasmodium falciparum, we can conclude that these medically important parasites produce their one PP1.

cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulates in ovo cAMP level of the Xenopus oocyte: evidence for an intracellular feedback mechanism.

Microinjection of cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor (1.8 microM) increases the cAMP level of Xenopus oocyte. Its effect was observed in full-grown (stage VI) as well as in vitellogenic (stage IV) oocytes. In contrast the inhibitor I1 of protein phosphatase-1 blocks cAMP accumulation. Progesterone (1 microM) decreases the cAMP level in control and in PKI-treated oocytes of both stages. These results show that cAMP concentration is regulated by a cAMP-dependent phosphorylation indicating the presence of a feedback mechanism. The feedback control is disrupted when oocyte is induced to mature by progesterone.

Free calcium in full grown Xenopus laevis oocyte following treatment with ionophore A 23187 or progesterone.

Free intracellular Ca2+ was monitored in isolated Xenopus laevis oocyte during induced maturation using the Ca2+ -sensitive luminescent protein, aequorin. Internal free Ca2+ was not precisely measured but data suggest it was quite low (in the micromolar range). No change in internal free Ca2+ was detected during maturation induced either by progesterone or by p-chloromercuribenzoate. By contrast, the ionophore A 23187 gave an increase in the free Ca2+ level when there was a raised external Ca2+ (10 mM), conditions which also induce oocyte maturation. About 3 h after progesterone or p-chloromercuribenzoate stimulation, the oocyte membrane potential decreased by about 50 mV while the membrane resistance increased transitorily.

Mechanism of action of progesterone on amphibian oocytes. A possible biological role for progesterone metabolism.

The ability of various steroids to induce maturation of Pleurodeles waltlii oocytes after incubation has been studied. Progesterone is metabolized during the course of maturation. All metabolites isolated are less efficient than progesterone for inducing germinal vesicle breakdown. Progesterone binding to the 'melanosome' fraction has been studied (KD = 4.5 X 10(-8) M at 4 degrees C). 20BETA-Hydroxy-pregn-4-en-3-one, the main progesterone metabolite isolated from the oocyte, also binds to the melanosome fraction, but with a lower affinity (KD = 1.6 X 10(-7) M at 4 degrees C). At high concentration 20beta-hydroxy-pregn-4-en-3-one induces maturation, but at low concentration it is a competitive inhibitor of progesterone. Progesterone metabolism in Pleurodeles oocytes can be interpreted as an inactivation process, and also as a mechanism for inhibitime progesterone action.

The pure inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase initiates Xenopus laevis meiotic maturation. A 4-step scheme for meiotic maturation.

The availability of the pure inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase prompted a re-examination of the inhibitor-induced meiotic maturation of Xenopus laevis oocytes. Injection of the inhibitor (1.5 microM) triggered 100% germinal vesicle breakdown faster than progesterone and slower than the maturation-promoting factor: at 0.15 microM, the inhibitor still triggered 100% meiosis, but with a much slower kinetics. In contrast, injection of 24 microM calmodulin resulted in less than 50% GVBD, and results were variable from female to female. Combined injection of inhibitor and calmodulin failed to show any synergism, which does not favour hypotheses according to which calmodulin acts by activation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. The net effect of the inhibitor is to decrease the concentration of the free catalytic sub-unit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, fully dissociated in the unstimulated oocyte, as shown by the absence of effect of pretreatment with cholera toxin on the inhibitor-induced maturation. After such decrease by about 1 microM, a maturation protein, Mp-P, is dephosphorylated by phosphoprotein phosphatases. Dephospho-Mp triggers the synthesis of MPF in cycloheximide-sensitive steps. Finally, MPF triggers GVBD in steps insensitive to cycloheximide. Evidence for such a 4-step scheme--fall in cAMP levels, then in C sub-unit levels, dephosphorylation of Mp leading to the synthesis of MPF and finally MPF-triggered GVBD--is presented and discussed.

Involvement of protein kinase A and casein kinase II in the in vivo protein kinase activities in prophase arrested Xenopus oocytes.

In vivo beta casein phosphorylation was analysed in Xenopus full-grown oocytes arrested in the prophase of the meiotic cell division. The phosphorylation was inhibited by the protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) and also by heparin (3 micrograms/ml; final concentration). beta casein phosphorylation was increased by spermine (2 mM). Therefore, protein kinase A and casein kinase II are both active in vivo in full-grown oocytes and may be involved in the prophase arrest of meiotic cell division.

[From ovocyte to biochemistry of the cell cycle]. / De l'ovocyte à la biochimie du cycle cellulaire.

The cell division cycle in eukaryotes contains up to three major transition points; the conversion of quiescent cells to a stage of active proliferation, the initiation of DNA synthesis (S phase) and the induction of mitosis in cells with newly replicated genome (M phase). Within the past years two strategies, have converged to identify, genetically and biochemically a key protein kinase p34 cdc2 that governs the entry into mitosis. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe a number of mutants in the mitotic regulatory circuit have been isolated. A central gene in the network is cdc2 which is essential for the proper execution of mitosis. The cdc2 gene interacts with a number of other genes for correct mitotic control. The Amphibian oocyte, the oocyte from Xenopus laevis particularly, is arrested at the G2 phase of the first meiotic division; when it enters M phase, it contains a dominant regulatory factor known as MPF (M-phase or maturation promoting factor). Purified MPF is an heterodimer formed of two polypeptides p34cdc2 an homologue of the product of the gene cdc2 and p45cdc13 or cyclin an homologue of the product of the gene cdc13. Biochemical studies have revealed that p34cdc2 is a phosphotyrosine protein during the G2 phase of the cell cycle, both mitotic and meiotic. The tyrosine phosphorylation of p34cdc2 is regulated by the gradual accumulation of cyclin. At the onset of M phase, the complex p34cdc2/cyclin is activated as an histone H1 kinase, and p34cdc2 is tyrosine dephosphorylated. The mechanism of activation of p34cdc2 is negatively regulated by a form of protein phosphatase 2A. Ovulated vertebrate oocytes are arrested at metaphase of the second meiotic division (M II) under the control of the proto-oncogene c-mos a protein kinase. The exit of M II phase and the initiation of early embryonic mitotic cell cycles are physiologically induced by the spermatozoa at the time of fertilization. They requires the degradation of c-mos by a Ca2+ dependent proteolytic enzyme and the destruction of cyclin by an ubiquitin dependent pathway. The Xenopus oocyte has led to the molecular elucidation of MPF and identified links between cell cycle control, protein phosphorylation and proto-oncogenes. Despite the impresive progess of recent years, there is still much to be learned about the control of meiosis in Xenopus oocytes.