High impact information on Spisula

• In the clam, Spisula, two previously described proteins known as cyclin A and B display the unusual property of selective proteolytic degradation at the end of each mitosis [1].
• Centrosomes isolated from Spisula solidissima oocytes contain rings and an unusual stoichiometric ratio of alpha/beta tubulin [2].
• The eggs of the surf clam Spisula solidissima were artificially activated, homogenized at various times in cold 0.5 M MES buffer, 1mM EGTA at pH 6.5, and microtubule polymerization was induced by raising the temperature to 28 degrees C. In homogenates of unactivated eggs few microtubules form and no asters are observed [3].
• Intracellular pH (pHi) measurements were performed in surf clam (Spisula solidissima) oocytes before and after artificial activation or fertilization [evidenced by germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD)] by the dimethyloxazolidinedione (DMO) and 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) methods [4].
• The neurohormone serotonin (5HT) triggers meiosis reinitiation in oocytes of the pelecypod molluscs Spisula solidissima and Ruditapes philippinarum [5].

Biological context of Spisula

• Pharmacology of the serotonin-induced meiosis reinitiation in Spisula solidissima oocytes [6].
• Protein phosphorylation during 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced maturation of Spisula oocytes [7].
• The involvement of newly synthesized proteins and calcium in meiotic processes, sperm nuclear transformations, and pronuclear development was examined in emetine-treated, fertilized, and A-23187-activated Spisula eggs by observing changes in the morphogenesis of the maternal and paternal chromatin [8].
• Modulation of serotonin binding sites in Spisula solidissima oocytes by phorbol ester [9].
• In the present study, we showed that 5-HT increased [Ca2+]i in freshly isolated Spisula oocytes suspended in artificial sea water [10].

Anatomical context of Spisula

• Localization and quantification of gonad serotonin during gametogenesis of the surf clam, Spisula solidissima [11].
• In Spisula subtruncata (Mactracea) the acrosome showed a PTA-stained apical component and a silver-positive basal dense region [12].

Associations of Spisula with chemical compounds

• Germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) is the first visible response of the oocyte of Spisula solidissima to the neurohormone serotonin [6].
• Nascent protein requirement for completion of meiotic maturation and pronuclear development: examination of fertilized and A-23187-activated surf clam (Spisula solidissima) eggs [8].
• We have determined the presence of cysteine in the protein PL-I from the sperm of the surf clam Spisula solidissima [13].
• The drugs at a concentration of 20 microM completely blocked germinal vesicle breakdown and 45Ca2+ uptake by Spisula oocytes [14].
• Survey of the U.S. Atlantic Coast surf clam, Spisula solidissima, and clam products for anisakine nematodes and hyperparasitic protozoa [15].

Gene context of Spisula

• Here, we report the sequences of two distinct p63/73-like homologues, both cloned from Spisula embryos [16].
• Species such as the clam, Spisula solida, esterify dinophysistoxins to a great extent, and contain always more okadaic acid (OA) than dinophysistoxin-2 (DTX2) [17].
• Levels of free PABP are limited by newly polyadenylated mRNA in early Spisula embryogenesis [18].
• Purification and characterization of oocyte cytoplasmic tubulin and meiotic spindle tubulin of the surf clam Spisula solidissima [19].
• Release of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from cortex of Spisula eggs at fertilization and its recombination after meiosis [20].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Spisula

• The use of the Fura-2 imaging technique allowed single-cell measurements and defined changes induced by 5-HT in [Ca2+]i which is the net result of calcium uptake and release of intracellular calcium from storage sites in individual Spisula oocytes [10].
• Here, we report studies including UV-crosslinking and immunoblotting assays to characterise PABP in the early developmental stages of the clam Spisula solidissima [18].

References