Early Embryonic Development

We study the processes regulating early development in the amphibian, Xenopus laevis, and focus on two processes: (1) changes in nuclear structure that occur during this period; and (2) proteins that regulate the early embryonic cell cycle. Using an in vitro system, derived from extracts of Xenopus eggs, which reconstitute nuclei around added DNA, we identify molecular components that regulate nuclear structure as well as DNA replication, transcription, and chromosome condensation. The Xenopus egg is an excellent system to study cell cycle regulation. Factors involved in induction of cell cycle phase transitions and phase duration have been identified in egg extracts. We have identified and characterized several protein kinases involved in regulating both the G1-S and G2-M phase transitions in these extracts. Our goal is to identify and understand how the high fidelity of cell division is maintained during the cell cycle.

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