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Amyloids assemble as part of recognizable structures during oogenesis in Xenopus
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Amyloids assemble as part of recognizable structures during oogenesis in Xenopus

Michael H Hayes and Daniel L Weeks
Biology open, Vol.5(6), pp.801-806
06/15/2016
DOI: 10.1242/bio.017384
PMCID: PMC4920187
PMID: 27215327
url
https://doi.org/10.1242/bio.017384View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

A hallmark of Alzheimer's, Huntington's and similar diseases is the assembly of proteins into amyloids rather than folding into their native state. There is an increasing appreciation that amyloids, under specific conditions, may be non-pathogenic. Here we show that amyloids form as a normal part of Xenopus oocyte development. Amyloids are detectable in the cytosol and the nucleus using an amyloid binding dye and antibodies that recognize amyloid structure. In the cytosol, yolk platelets are amyloid reactive, as are a number of yet to be characterized particles. In the nucleus, we find particles associated with transcription by RNA polymerase I, II and III and RNA processing contain amyloids. Nuclear amyloids remain intact for hours following isolation; however, RNase treatment rapidly disrupts nuclear amyloids. Summary: Non-membrane-bound nuclear particles in Xenopus oocytes responsible for RNA transcription, modification and processing contain proteins assembled into amyloids as part of normal development.
Xenopus Oogenesis Amyloid Germinal vesicle Nuclear particles

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