The origin and fate of the nuclear membrane in meiosis

Abstract

The behavior of the nuclear membrane during meiotic division in locust spermato-cytes has been studied by electron microscopy. Preliminary observations were made on living cells from locusts, grasshoppers and beetles by phase-contrast microscopy and on snail and newt spermatocytes by electron microscopy. The mitochondria come into close association with the nuclear membrane during prophase and are often clustered round regions of degenerating nuclear membrane. The mitochondrial membranes sometimes appear to be fused with the nuclear membrane, and gaps in the latter are often found near mitochondria. Lamellar stacks are found in the cytoplasm during early prophase and closely resemble the nuclear membrane in the same cells; they are generally annulate in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes but smooth-walled in secondary spermatocytes. There is evidence that the stacks arise by repeated folding of the nuclear membrane and become converted into endoplasmic reticulum. After division, the daughter cell chromosomes are at first devoid of surrounding membrane. Elements of the endoplasmic reticulum accumulate between the mitochondria and gradually surround the chromosomes. These elements fuse to form a continuous double nuclear membrane. It is suggested that the nuclear membrane, endoplasmic reticulum and cell membrane are composed of the same material, which can be transformed into different structures according to the needs of the cell. The nuclear membrane is converted into endoplasmic reticulum during division and stored in the cytoplasm. The new nuclear membranes in the daughter cells are formed by the fusion of elements of the endoplasmic reticulum.