Grb2 promotes reinitiation of meiosis in Xenopus oocytes

Cell Signal. 2001 Jan;13(1):51-5. doi: 10.1016/s0898-6568(00)00138-8.

Abstract

The adaptor protein Grb2 plays a central role in cell proliferation and/or cell cycle progression. In this study, we investigate the role of Grb2 in signalling pathways involved in meiotic reinitiation. For that purpose, Xenopus Grb2 cRNA and its mutated forms or human Grb2 protein was microinjected into immature Xenopus oocytes. Reinitiation of meiosis was seen in unstimulated oocytes. Induction of the meiosis was time dependent and Ras dependent, and the presence in Grb2 of SH2 and SH3 domains was required. Several tyrosine phosphorylated proteins were solely detected in oocytes responsive to Grb2 injection. Our results are in favour of an unusual recruitment and initiation of the Grb2 transduction cascade independent of a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) stimulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing*
  • Animals
  • Female
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein
  • Humans
  • Meiosis
  • Oocytes / cytology*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology
  • Proteins / agonists*
  • Proteins / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Xenopus laevis

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein
  • GRB2 protein, human
  • Proteins
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases