DNA topoisomerase II is not detectable on lampbrush chromosomes but enriched in the amplified nucleoli of Xenopus oocytes.

In somatic cells DNA topoisomerase II (topo II) is thought to be involved in the domain organization of the genome by anchoring the basis of chromatin loops to a chromosomal scaffold. Lampbrush chromosomes of amphibian oocytes directly display this radial loop organization in cytological preparations. In order to find out whether topo II may play a role in the organization of these meiotic chromosomes, we performed immunofluorescence studies using antibodies against Xenopus topo II. Our results indicate that topo II is apparently absent from lampbrush chromosomes and is hence unlikely to act as a "fastener" of the numerous lateral chromosomal loops. Topo II was, however, enriched in the amplified nucleoli of Xenopus oocytes.