The nuclear pores of early meiotic prophase nuclei of plants

The leptotene-zygotene transition of meiosis

The leptotene/zygotene transition of meiosis, as defined by classical cytological studies, is the period when homologous chromosomes, already being discernible individualized entities, begin to be close together or touching over portions of their lengths. This period also includes the bouquet stage: Chromosome ends, which have already become integral components of the inner nuclear membrane, move into a polarized configuration, along with other nuclear envelope components. Chromosome movements, active or passive, also occur. The detailed nature of interhomologue interactions during this period, with special emphasis on the involvement of chromosome ends, and the overall role for meiosis and recombination of chromosome movement and, especially, the bouquet stage are discussed.

Fractionation of the nuclear matrix. I. Partial separation into matrix protein fibrils and a residual ribonucleoprotein fraction

Isolated rat liver nuclear matrices have been partially separated by means of mild sonication into a matrix protein (matricin) fraction and a residual ribonucleoprotein (RNP) fraction. The initial matricin fraction is composed largely of protein (91.1%) but also contains significant amounts of DNA (8.4%). Reconstruction experiments indicate that this DNA is not the result of the artifactual binding of DNA to the matrix during the extraction procedures. Subsequent treatment with DNase I results in purified matricin composed of greater than 99.5% protein. SDS acrylamide gel electrophoresis of the matrix protein fibrils reveals only three bands: the primary matrix polypeptides of 62,000, 66,000, and 70,000 daltons. Electron microscopy demonstrates a diffuse reticulum with fibrils as thin as 30--50 A and the presence of 80--100-A globular structures. The residual RNP fraction is composed largely of protein (80.1%) and RNA (19.5%), with only traces of DNA (1.1%). Over 98% of the total matrix-associated RNA is recovered in this fraction. SDS acrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates an enrichment in both low and high molecular weight secondary matrix polypeptides, although the 60,000--70,000-dalton polypeptides are present in significant amounts as well. Ultrastructural analysis of the residual RNP fraction reveals distinct electron-dense-staining matrix particles (150--350 A) attached to a fibrous matricin network.

Changes in distribution of nuclear pores during differentiation of the male germ cells

Changes in number of nuclear pores in different states of physiologica activity have been reported, but little is known about changing patterns of distribution in the course of cell differentiation. Pore distribution in male germ cells was studied in freeze fracture preparations of immature and mature rodent testis. As in other somatic cells, pores were uniformly and apparently randomly distributed in Sertoli cell nuclei. The nucleus of gonocytes and spermatogonia showed varying degrees of pore clustering. Spermatocytes invariably exhibited very striking pore aggregation with close hexagonal packing in pore-rich areas, and large pore-free areas. In early spermatids, pores appeared to be randomly distributed. As the acrosome formed and spread over the apical pole of the nucleus, pores disappeared ahead of its advancing margin and became more concentrated in the post-acrosomal region. The relationship of pore complexes to the chromosomes and the role of the fibrous lamina are discussed. The question as to whether the changing patterns observed involve movement of pores within fluid nuclear membranes, or a dissolution and reformation of new pores remains unanswered.

Unusual features of the nuclear envelope in human spermatogenic cells

Different types of human germ cells show unusual features of the nuclear envelope. Spermatogonial nuclei demonstrate two kinds of modifications. The first one is a series of intranuclear flattened cisterns, parallel to each other and to the inner aspect of the nuclear envelope. The second one is a nuclear envelope protrusion into the cytoplasm occupied by a double membrane-limited vesicle. Pores are found on the membrane of the vesicle facing the interior of the nucleus. In spermatocytes the nuclear pores are concentrated over certain areas and completely absent from others. In the regions where they are absent a single cytoplasmic cistern of rough endoplasmic reticulum is closely apposed to the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. Early modifications of the nuclear surface appear in spermatids before the attachment of the acrosomic vesicle and may indicate an active role of the nuclear envelope in the morphogenesis of the acrosome. In round spermatids nuclear pores are absent from the area which is first related to the Golgi and later covered by the acrosomal cap. Single or multiple layers of cytoplasmic annulate lamellae are closely associated with the nuclear envelope over the pore rich areas. Frequently there are intranuclear accumulations of dense material adjacent to the annulate lamellae-nuclear pore complex. The chromatoid body is usually present on the cytoplasmic side of this complex. In the elongating spermatids most annulate lamellae are free in the cytoplasm, often in relation with Golgi and chromatoid body remnants near the axial filament. Few stacks of annulate lamellae are noted adjacent to the pore rich nuclear regions. It is suggested that the described modifications are related to an active nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction.

Presynaptic events in meiocytes of Lilium longiflorum and their relation to crossing-over: a preselection hypothesis

We are proposing a "Preselection Hypothesis" to account for the regulation of crossing-over in eukaryotic organisms. The hypothesis characterized meiosis in terms of three major physiological stages: (1) a presynaptic stage when pairs of homologous DNA stretches are selected so as to become trapped within the synaptinemal complex during synapsis, (2) an alignment of homologous chromosomes and stabilization of paired bivalents via the synaptinemal complex, and (3) a scission and rejoining of DNA stretches leading to the formation of chiasmata and crossovers. The hypothesis centers on the first stage and is based on evidence for the occurrence of significant cytological and biochemical changes prior to synapsis. The major feature of the hypothesis is that crossing-over occurs only in trapped DNA stretches. Thus, potential crossing-over sites, though not crossing-over itself, are determined well before chromosomes pair. Since, to a large degree, crossovers are distributed randomly along the length of each chromosome, the preselection process must result in a random assortment of trapped DNA stretches, the assortment differing from one meiocyte to another.