Phillips, S., Cotten, M. , Laengle-Rouault, F., Schaffner, G. and Birnstiel, M. L. (1992) Amphibian oocytes and sphere organelles: are the U snRNA genes amplified? Chromosoma, 101(9), pp. 549-556. (doi: 10.1007/bf00660314) (PMID:1521499)
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Abstract
The sphere organelles (spheres) ofXenopus and other amphibian oocytes are known to contain small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) and have been suggested to play a role in snRNP complex assembly. Coupled with the similarities that exist between spheres and nucleoli and the quantitative and kinetic aspects of snRNA synthesis in theXenopus oocyte, we have investigated whether or not the U snRNA encoding genes are amplified inXenopus oogenesis, the spheres being possible sites for the location of such extrachromosomal gene copies. By applying a number of quantitative nucleic acid hybridization procedures to both total and fractionated oocyte and somatic DNA, employing both homologous and heterologous U snRNA gene probes and suitable amplification and non-amplification control probes, we show that the U snRNA genes do not undergo any major amplification inXenopus oogenesis. Therefore, the analogy between the sphere organelles and nucleoli appears to be limited. The role of the spheres and their relationship to other snRNP containing structures, specifically B snurposomes, and the sphere organizer loci remains obscure.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Cotten, Professor Matthew and Phillips, Professor Stephen |
Authors: | Phillips, S., Cotten, M., Laengle-Rouault, F., Schaffner, G., and Birnstiel, M. L. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
Journal Name: | Chromosoma |
Publisher: | Springer |
ISSN: | 0009-5915 |
ISSN (Online): | 1432-0886 |
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