KimNeuroscience.jpg (210.67 kB)
Lampbrush Chromosomes and Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein, FMRP
figure
posted on 2010-09-01, 00:00 authored by Miri KimFragile X Syndrome is the most common form of inherited mental retardation, occurring in 1/4000 males and 1/8000 females. This syndrome is caused by the lack of expression of the Fragile X mental retardation protein, or FMRP. FMRP is an RNA binding protein, involved in translational regulation of specific mRNA messages. However it is still relatively unknown where FMRP binds its mRNA cargo. Here we show endogenous FMRP associating with nascent transcripts along the actively transcribed loops of a Xenopus laevis oocyte chromosome. Nuclei were isolated from oocytes and prepared for fluorescence microscopy by fixing onto glass slides. Panels A and B show a phase contrast image of the chromosomes followed by fluorescent imaging where red is a DAPI stain for nucleic acid and green is FMRP. Panels C and D show a magnification of one especially large loop of single stranded DNA extending from the double stranded DNA axis. The scale bar represents 2 mm.
History
Publisher Statement
Entry in 2009 in The Image of Research, a competition for students in graduate or professional degree programs at UIC, sponsored by UIC's Graduate College and the University Library. Images of award recipients and honorable mention images on exhibition in the Richard J. Daley Library and the Library of the Health Sciences, April 16-May 12, 2009.Issue date
2009-01-01Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC