Adenylate cyclase activity in Xenopus laevis ovarian follicles

Abstract

An adenylate cyclase activity was identified and characterized in preparations from Xenopus laevis ovarian tissue and follicles. The enzyme is more active in the presence of Mn2+ than of Mg2+, and it is highly activated by fluoride, guanyl-5′-yl-imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] and cholera toxin. During the last stages of oogenesis, as the oocytes grow in volume, the total adenylate cyclase activity increases more than tenfold, maintaining a constant relationship to the surface area of the follicle. © 1981 Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publishers.