Heat shock results in cell cycle delay and synchronisation of mitotic domains in cellularised Drosophila melanogaster embryos

Abstract

Cells of Drosophila embryos that are subjected to a 37 degrees C temperature shock whilst undergoing the S-phase of cell cycle 14 arrest with their microtubules in an interphase-like state, and with nuclei showing unusual chromatin condensation. They do not recover from this state within a 30 minute period even though extensive gastrulation movements can occur. Cells of embryos heat shocked in G2-phase are delayed in interphase with high levels of cyclins A and B. Within ten minutes recovery from heat shock, cells enter mitosis throughout the embryo. The degradation of the mitotic cyclins A and B in these synchronised mitotic domains does not follow the normal timing, but is delayed. These findings point to a need for caution when interpreting experiments that use the heat shock promoter to study the expression of cell cycle control genes in Drosophila.

Files

Additional details