Cyclin B mRNA depletion only transiently inhibits the Xenopus embryonic cell cycle.

The control of the cell cycle is dependent on the ability to synthesize and degrade proteins called cyclins. When antisense oligonucleotides are used to deplete Xenopus embryos of mRNA encoding cyclin B protein, embryonic cleavage is inhibited. Surprisingly, after missing several rounds of cleavage, the cell cycle and cell division resumes. These studies indicate that the early embryonic cell cycle can proceed with undetectable levels of cyclin B encoding mRNA. In contrast, other events of normal development, including the activation of embryonic transcription and gastrulation, are inhibited.