Nucleoplasmin-mediated decondensation of Mytilus sperm chromatin. Identification and partial characterization of a nucleoplasmin-like protein with sperm-nuclei decondensing activity in Mytilus californianus

Biochemistry. 1995 Jun 13;34(23):7563-8. doi: 10.1021/bi00023a001.

Abstract

We have been able to induce sperm nuclear decondensation in the mussel Mytilus californianus (mollusc) using either egg extracts or pure nucleoplasmin from Xenopus (amphibian). The nuclear decondensation involves removal of the sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs) which bind to nucleoplasmin. An attempt has been made to isolate an ooplasmic factor from Mytilus with a similar sperm-chromatin decondensing activity. An acidic, thermostable protein with a molecular mass of 58,000 has been purified and partially characterized.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / analysis
  • Animals
  • Bivalvia
  • Chromatin / ultrastructure*
  • Male
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology*
  • Nucleoplasmins
  • Ovum / chemistry
  • Phosphoproteins*
  • Sperm Head / ultrastructure*
  • Xenopus laevis

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Chromatin
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Nucleoplasmins
  • Phosphoproteins