The POLO kinase is required at multiple stages during spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1998

Authors

Herrmann, S (Author) Other; Amorim, I (Author) FCUP; Sunkel, CE (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Chromosoma

Vol. 107

Pages: 440-451

ISSN: 0009-5915

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 45 Citations

Scopus - 46 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-6KQ

DOI: 10.1007/pl00013778

Abstract (EN): The polo gene of Drosophila melanogaster is the founding member of the polo-like kinase family which is conserved among eukaryotes. POLO has been implicated in the organisation and function of the mitotic apparatus. Furthermore, POLO has been shown to be required for normal spermatogenesis. To characterize further the role of POLO in spermatogenesis, polo mutants were analysed by immunostaining with specific antibodies and phase contrast microscopy. Immunofluorescence shows that POLO localises to the centrosomes, the centromere/kinetochore and the spindle midzone. The meiotic phenotype of various mutant allelic combinations was also studied in detail. Observation of mutant live testes indicates cytological abnormalities in all meiotic cell types, including variable DNA content and multipolar spindles. Primary spermatocytes in polo mutant testes contain an abnormal DNA content, suggesting failure of chromosome segregation during genial division. Immunostaining of polo mutant cells with a-tubulin shows several abnormalities of the meiotic spindle, including a significantly reduced central spindle. Our results suggest that polo has multiple functions during spermatogenesis.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12