In vitro nuclear assembly using fractionated Xenopus egg extracts

J Vis Exp. 2008 Sep 2:(18):908. doi: 10.3791/908.

Abstract

Nuclear membrane assembly is an essential step in the cell division cycle; this process can be replicated in the test tube by combining Xenopus sperm chromatin, cytosol, and light membrane fractions. Complete nuclei are formed, including nuclear membranes with pore complexes, and these reconstituted nuclei are capable of normal nuclear processes.

Publication types

  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Extracts / chemistry
  • Cell Fractionation / methods*
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry
  • Chromatin / chemistry
  • Cytosol / chemistry
  • Male
  • Ovum / chemistry
  • Ovum / cytology*
  • Spermatozoa / chemistry
  • Xenopus / physiology*

Substances

  • Cell Extracts
  • Chromatin