Cytoplasmic distribution of poly(A)-containing RNA in developing Necturus maculosus oocytes with reference to annulate lamellae

Imaging-associated stress causes divergent phase transitions of RNA-binding proteins in the Caenorhabditis elegans germ line

One emerging paradigm of cellular organization of RNA and RNA-binding proteins is the formation of membraneless organelles. Examples of membraneless organelles include several types of ribonucleoprotein granules that form via phase separation. A variety of intracellular pH changes and posttranslational modifications, as well as extracellular stresses, can stimulate the condensation of proteins into granules. For example, the assembly of stress granules induced by oxidative stress, osmotic stress, and heat stress has been well characterized in a variety of somatic cell types. In the germ line, similar stress-induced condensation of proteins occurs; however, less is known about the role of phase separation during gamete production. Researchers who study phase transitions often make use of fluorescent reporters to study the dynamics of RNA-binding proteins during live cell imaging. In this report, we demonstrate that common conditions of live-imaging Caenorhabditis elegans can cause an inadvertent stress and trigger phase transitions of RNA-binding proteins. We show that this imaging-associated stress stimulates decondensation of multiple germ granule proteins and condensation of several P-body proteins. Proteins within larger ribonucleoprotein granules in meiotically arrested oocytes do not appear to be as sensitive to the stress as proteins in diakinesis oocytes of young hermaphrodites, with the exception of the germ granule protein PGL-1. Our results have important methodological implications for all researchers using live-cell imaging techniques. The data also suggest that the RNA-binding proteins within large ribonucleoprotein granules of arrested oocytes may have distinct phases, which we characterize in our companion article.

Ultrastructure of previtellogene oocytes in the neotenic cave salamander Proteus anguinus anguinus (Amphibia, Urodela, Proteidae)

Oogenesis in the neotenic, cave dwelling salamander Proteus anguinus anguinus has not been studied yet, and this study provides a detailed description of the early growth of the oocytes. Early previtellogene oocytes ranging from 100 to 600 µm in diameter were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. The oocytes were divided into two stages based on size, color, and histology. Stage I oocytes can be identified by their transparent cytoplasm and a homogenous juxtanuclear mass, composed of numerous lipid droplets and mitochondria. Stage II oocytes are no longer transparent and have increased in diameter to 300- 600 µm, and many cortical alveoli differing in size have appeared. The common and most predominant ultrastructural characteristics of both stages of previtellogene oocytes are extensive quantities of smooth membrane, numerous mitochondria, and lipid droplets, as well as abundant free ribosomes. Myeline-like structures and remarkable annulate lamellae of closely packed membrane stacks are also frequently observed. Previtellogenic oocytes are the most predominant oocytes in the ovaries of Proteus, and while they possess certain structural characteristics typical for other amphibians, some features are unique and could result from adaptation to the subterranean environment.