Behavior of Interphase Embryonic Nuclei Transplanted in Nuclear Multiplication Stage Embryos of Drosophila Melanogaster

Interphase nuclei were transplanted from syncytial blastoderm into early cleavage embryos of Drosophila melanogaster. The transplanted nuclei, when exposed to host cytoplasm, were initiated to mitosis. During the period from 10 to 50 min after transplantation, the implanted nuclei and host nuclei were found not synchronous in their mitotic cycles. Synchrony was restored usually by the blastoderm stage. About 5% of eggs with transplanted nuclei developed significantly faster than control eggs, resulting in premature blastoderm formation. This finding is discussed in relation to chimera formation and to embryonic development of grandchildless mutants.