Researchers from the Hebrew University reveal the molecular processes that drive the formation of life with the help of a model of zebrafish eggs and advanced imaging tools
Researchers have discovered how egg cells prepare to create life. Their work reveals the secrets of the Balbian body, a unique structure that organizes essential molecules during the early stages of the embryo's development. Using zebrafish models and advanced imaging, the research team discovered how this structure transitions from a state of liquid droplets to a stable nucleus, thus laying the foundations for life itself. This discovery sheds light on the amazing precision of the reproduction process in nature.
A new study led by Prof. Yaniv Elkoubi and his team, including researchers Swastik Kerr and Rachel Deiss, from the Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University and the Israel-Canada Medical Research Institute (IMRIC), provides important insights into how cells organize themselves to create life. For over 200 years, scientists have observed the unique polarity of immature oocytes, which is essential for embryonic development, but the mechanisms behind the process remain a mystery. This study, published in the journal Current Biology, brings us closer to understanding these critical biological events, with implications for reproductive health and developmental biology.
The focus of the study is the Balbian body (Bb), a membrane-less intracellular structure. Its function is to collect and organize important molecules, such as RNA and proteins, which are essential for the correct orientation of the egg cell and the early development of the embryo. The Balbian body is found in a wide range of species, from insects to humans. The study used the zebrafish as a model animal, using advanced tools such as high-resolution microscopy and live imaging of the fish's ovaries.
The role of protein Bucky ball
The study indicates the importance of the role of a protein called Bucky ball, which drives the formation of the Balbian body through phase separation—a process in which molecules move from a dissolved state to a more concentrated state, ultimately forming a stable structure. The researchers monitored the protein's activity and showed that it begins as liquid-like droplets that then stabilize into a solid structure. This change is essential for the function and structure of the fetal body, which are important for successful fetal development.
The study also revealed the critical role of microtubules—intracellular structures that regulate the assembly of the bulbar body. The microtubules direct the movement of the Bucky ball protein chains ensuring proper organization and preventing excessive growth, allowing the blebbian body to maintain its shape and function.
Beyond reproduction and fetal development, the research has broader implications. Solid structures in cells are often known from pathological contexts, such as prions that cause degenerative diseases. On the other hand, the Balbian body develops in a controlled manner and in a normal physiological context.
Dr. Elkoubi added: "We discovered how the Balbian body is formed through molecular condensation and how the microtubules regulate this process. This discovery helps answer long-standing questions about egg polarity and embryonic development."
For an article in Current Biology.
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