Behaviour of yolk nuclei during early embryogenesis in drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Yolk nuclei cease dividing when the somatic nuclei reach the embryo surface during nuclear cycle 10. During subsequent nuclear divisions, yolk chromatin shows a condensation-decondensation cycle similar to that observed in the syncytial blastoderm. The condensed chromatin forms abnormal figures, which are associated with irregular spindles, most of which are monopolar. A centrosome pair is often found at the spindle poles. This suggests that an altered centrosomal cycle may cause the arrest of yolk nuclear mitosis. © 1990 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.