• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.746-756
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• 2023

A recent study revealed that the loss of Deup1 expression does not affect either centriole amplification or multicilia formation. Therefore, the deuterosome per se is not a platform for amplification of centrioles. In this study, we examine whether gain-of-function of Deup1 affects the development of multiciliated ependymal cells. Our time-lapse study reveals that deuterosomes with an average diameter of 300 nm have two different fates during ependymal differentiation. In the first instance, deuterosomes are scattered and gradually disappear as cells become multiciliated. In the second instance, deuterosomes self-organize into a larger aggregate, called a deuterosome cluster (DC). Unlike scattered deuterosomes, DCs possess centriole components primarily within their large structure. A characteristic of DC-containing cells is that they tend to become primary ciliated rather than multiciliated. Our in utero electroporation study shows that DCs in ependymal tissue are mostly observed at early postnatal stages, but are scarce at late postnatal stages, suggesting the presence of DC antagonists within the differentiating cells. Importantly, from our bead flow assay, ectopic expression of Deup1 significantly impairs cerebrospinal fluid flow. Furthermore, we show that expression of mouse Deup1 in Xenopus embryos has an inhibitory effect on differentiation of multiciliated cells in the epidermis. Taken together, we conclude that the DC formation of Deup1 in multiciliated cells inhibits production of multiple centrioles.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.243-253
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• 2017

Eukaryotic cilia are organelles that project from the surface of cells to fulfill motility and sensory functions. In vertebrates, the functions of both motile and immotile cilia are critical for embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. Importantly, a multitude of human diseases is caused by abnormal cilia biogenesis and functions which rely on the compartmentalization of the cilium and the maintenance of its protein composition. The transition zone (TZ) is a specialized ciliary domain present at the base of the cilium and is part of a gate that controls protein entry and exit from this organelle. The relevance of the TZ is highlighted by the fact that several of its components are coded by ciliopathy genes. Here we review recent developments in the study of TZ proteomes, the mapping of individual components to the TZ structure and the establishment of the TZ as a lipid gate.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.206-217
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• 1987

Testes from the drake and the gander have been examined by the electron microscopy in thin sections in order to examine the spermiogenesis and the structure of spermatozoa. The spermiogenesis can be divided into three stages: early spermatid, nuclear elongation, and matured spermatid. In the early spermatid of the drake, there are thread-like material in the nucleus, a prominent nuclear envelope around the nucleus, and big lumens in the cytoplasm. The shape of the gander's mitochondria in the early spermatid is slender compared to that of the drake, and the inner membrane of the mitochondria is thicker than the outer membrane. The distal centriole of the drake and the gander in the early spermatid is a long hollow cylinder form. In the nuclear elongation stage, elongated nucleus forms two or three cross sections in one spermatid cell and it is surrounded by the amorphous sheath. The nucleus of the matured spermatid is compact and its apical end is covered with acrosome cap and acrosome spine. The axoneme is surrounded by the amorphous material.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.699-705
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• 2021

The centrosome is a subcellular organelle from which a cilium assembles. Since centrosomes function as spindle poles during mitosis, they have to be present as a pair in a cell. How the correct number of centrosomes is maintained in a cell has been a major issue in the fields of cell cycle and cancer biology. Centrioles, the core of centrosomes, assemble and segregate in close connection to the cell cycle. Abnormalities in centriole numbers are attributed to decoupling from cell cycle regulation. Interestingly, supernumerary centrioles are commonly observed in cancer cells. In this review, we discuss how supernumerary centrioles are generated in diverse cellular conditions. We also discuss how the cells cope with supernumerary centrioles during the cell cycle.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.223-233
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• 2001

The spermiogenesis of a Korean octopus, Octopus minor, inhabiting western of Korea Sea was observed by electron microscopy . The obtained results are as follows: The spermiogenesis of Octopus miner proceeds through four stages; early- , mid- , and late-spermatid, and mature sperm. An early spermatid is a spherical cell looking light due to the low electron density. The acrosome formed from Golgi complex of the upper nucleus looks dark due to the high electron density. The extra-nuclear rod (enr) stemming from proximal centriole is transformed from round shape into oval shape, elongating to the upper nucleus. In our observation, the axoneme was being formed from distal centriole, and the manchette composed of a number of microtubules is also found around nuclear membrane. In a mid-spermatid, chromatins in the nucleus contract shaping fine threads, and the manchette is also observed around nuclear membrane. Especially, the spherical acrosome is transformed into long oval one which is tinged with a number of horizontal stripes and has the middle electron density. In a late-spermatid, chromatins in the nucleus contract thick and short. Furthermore, the mitochondrial sleeve, in which the axoneme is surrounded with mitochondria, is observed at middle piece. The axoneme has a typical structure of 9+2 and around it, 9 coarse fibers are observed. Also in the acrosome cavity of mature sperm, horizontal striation is found. However, regularly spaced processes are peculiarly observed in there. A sperm is about 390 fm long, whose head is bent a little like a banana while the acrosome region is helical. In the middle piece of sperm, $11\sim12$ mitochondria are surrounding coarse fibers that reach the main piece of tail, while nothing but 9+2 structured axoneme is found in the end piece.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2012

Ultrastructural characteristics of blacktip grouper, Epinephelus fasciatus spermatozoa were investigated using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The spermatozoa of E. fasciatus consisted of a spherical head part, a midpiece with cytoplasmic canal entrance and a flagellum with lateral fins. Internal ultrastructurally, the nucleus contains high electron dense chromatin having granular particles and has no acrosome. The centriolar complex lies outside of the nuclear fossa and it is connected by the osmophilic filaments. Also the osmophilic filaments connect between the centriolar complex and the nuclear membrane. The midpiece contains eight to nine spherical mitochondria, cytoplasmic canal and necklaces. The flagellum has a typical 9+2 axonemal structure. The lateral fins contain vesicles and a typical 9+2 axonemal structure. Consequently this study contributes to comparative grouper spermatology and provide useful systematic taxonomic characters.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.163-166
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• 2008

The spermatozoal ultrastructure of Acheilognathus yamatsutae was studied using transmission electron microscopy. The mature spermatozoa are similar to those of other cyprinids as follows: a spherical nucleus with a shallow nuclear fossa, a short midpiece containing mitochondria and a long flagellum. However, there are some differences from other cyprinids in the orientation and position of the centrioles, the number of mitochondria, and the structure of vesicles. The position of the proximal centriole was of two types: one located on the side of nucleus decline, the other situated on the opposite side.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.171-175
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• 2000

The ultrastructures of germinal cells of male marsh clam, Corbicujar lena were studied. The mature sperm was primitive type, consisting of head, middle piece and tail. The mature sperm was whip-shaped and its head was divided into two parts; the acrosomal part shaped long hollow cone about $3{\mu}m$ in length and the sperm nuclear part shaped a long stick about $9\;{\mu}m$ in length. The posterior part of the sperm nuclear projected to centriole, The middle piece of the sperm-nuclear had four mitochondria and two centrioles. The sperm tail part had the 9+2 microtubular arrangement known as a typical pattern, During spermiogenesis, chromatin within sperm nuclear became fiberic materials by condensation.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.143-149
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• 2007

This study describes spermatogenesis and sperm ultrastructure of the granular ark, Tegillarca granosa using light and electron microscopy. In the active spermatogenic season, the testis comprises many spermatogenic follicles that contain germ cells in different developmental stages. Primary spermatocytes in the pachytene stage are characterized by synaptonemal complexes. The early spermatids are characterized by the appearance of several Golgi bodies, increased karyoplasmic electron density, and tubular mitochondria. The mass of proacrosomal granules consists of numerous heterogeneous granules with high electron density that are about 20 nm in diameter. From the midstage of spermiogenesis, the well-developed mitochondria in the cytoplasm aggregate posterior to the nucleus and surround the proximal and distal centrioles. The proacrosomal granules condense and form a single acrosome with a thin envelope. During late spermiogenesis, the acrosome begins to elongate becoming conical. The sperm is approximately $35.0{\mu}m$ long and consists of a head, midpiece, and tail. The head comprises a round nucleus and a conical acrosome. A micro fibrous axial rod is observed between the nucleus and acrosome. The midpiece has a calyx-like structure with five mitochondria, and the tail, which has the typical "9+2" microtubular system, originates from the distal centriole.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2009

Centrobin/Nip2 was initially identified as a centrosome protein that is critical for centrosome duplication and spindle assembly. In the present study, we determined the expression and subcellular localization of centrobin in selected mouse tissues. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the centrobin-specific band of 100 kDa was detected in all tissues tested but most abundantly in the thymus, spleen and testis. In the testis, centrobin was localized at the centrosomes of spermatocytes and early round spermatids, but no specific signal was detected in late round spermatids and elongated spermatids. Our results also revealed that the centrosome duplication occurs at interphase of the second meiotic division of the mouse male germ cells. The centrobin protein was more abundant in the mitotically active ovarian follicular cells and thymic cortex cells than in non-proliferating corpus luteal cells and thymic medullary cells. The expression pattern of centrobin suggests that the biological functions of centrobin are related to cell proliferation. Consistent with the proposal, we observed reduction of the centrobin levels when NIH3T3 became quiescent in the serum-starved culture conditions. However, a residual amount of centrobin was also detected at the centrosomes of the resting cells, suggesting its role for maintaining integrity of the centrosome, especially of the daughter centriole in the cells.