Parthenogenetic activation decreases the polyphosphoinositide content of frog eggs

Abstract

Polyphosphoinositides were quantified in metaphase II-arrested eggs of the amphibian Xenopus laevis and 8-10 min later in eggs activated by pricking. The content of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PIP2) was remarkably high in metaphase II-arrested eggs with respect to that of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP). It was found to drop dramatically at activation. In contrast PIP content did not change significantly.