Nuclear Distribution of the Cohesin in the Amphibian Oocyte
Several new protein complexes have recently been implicated in the establishment of eukaryotic chromosomes. One of them, the Cohesin, is essential for maintaining cohesion between sister chromatids during cell division (mitosis and meiosis). The general structure of the Cohesin is believed to be a ring that fits over the bivalent sister chromatids, holding them together, to achieve metaphase alignment. Antibodies against members of the Cohesin complex were used to examine the distribution of cohesins in the amphibian oocyte. Five different antibodies, respectively specific of the Cohesin subunits, were obtained from Bethyl Laboratory and used for immunostaining and western blot analysis. Only one of them, the antibody against SMC3, yielded a clear labeling of the chromosomal axis, and recognized a protein corresponding to the expected molecular weight. At the optimal concentration of 4ng/mL the staining of the chromosomal axis was considerably stronger than surrounding bodies. On the chromosome, the major structures labeled were the chromomeres.
School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department:
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Research Advisor:
Michel Bellini
Department of Research Advisor:
Cell and Structural Biology
Year of Publication:
2005