Top of Page A program of apoptosis in the Xenopus embryo A developmental program that does not respond to a severely damaged genome would be highly detrimental to the propagation of that organism. These assaults include inhibition of protein synthesis or DNA replication and damage of DNA by g -irradiation. The cell death that occurs after the MBT is apoptosis as determined by morphological and biochemical criteria. It is clear that the apoptotic checkpoint is regulated by maternal products since it is also engaged in response to a -amanitin, an inhibitor of RNA polymerase a which blocks all transcription of the zygotic genome. A DAPI-stained apoptotic cell in the Xenopus embryo.
Chromatin condensation is observed as apoptotic bodies.
Mathematical modeling of the cell cycle Our laboratory has also begun an exciting collaboration with the Tyson Research Group , fellow members of the Biology Department at Virginia Tech. Tyson and colleagues have developed mathematical equations based on classic biochemical kinetics and modern dynamic systems theory to model the eukaryotic cell cycle. These equations make specific predictions about the behavior cycling cell-free extracts derived from Xenopus eggs. Our laboratory will perform experiments to test those predictions. In turn, the Tyson Group will generate equations based on our studies of cell cycle remodeling at the MBT, and we will work together to develop these ideas from theory to a realistic and testable model.