Starfish and Xenopus oocyte maturation

Abstract

The maturation process of starfish and Xenopus oocyte are described in detail. For the former, the role of 1-methyl adenine is recalled, together with that the dissociation of a G protein into its alpha, beta and gamma subunits of and the role of the M-phase promoting factor (MPF). The detailed roles of gonadostimule and of 1-methyladenine are described, as it is that of the following steps, i.e. that of the product of the radial nerve, which stimulates 1-methyladenine excretion. As for Xenopus, the mechanism of MPF activation by progesterone is described. This brings to the translation of the messenger for the protein Pp39mos, which activates a MAPK pathway. The mechanism of the second arrest at metaphase II, because of the effect of the cytostatic factor involving the action of the proteins XErp1/Emi2, Plx1 and Cam II, is also described in detail.