The interplay between cyclin-B-Cdc2 kinase (MPF) and MAP kinase during maturation of oocytes

Throughout oocyte maturation, and subsequently during the first mitotic cel l cycle, the MAP kinase cascade and cyclin-B-Cdc2 kinase are associated wit h the control of cell cycle progression. Many roles have been directly or i ndirectly attributed to MAP kinase and its influence on cyclin-B-Cdc2 kinas e in different model systems; yet a principle theme does not emerge from th e published literature, some of which is apparently contradictory. Interpla y between these two kinases affects the major events of meiotic maturation throughout the animal kingdom, including the suppression of DNA replication , the segregation of meiotic chromosomes, and the prevention of parthenogen etic activation. Central to many of these events appears to be the control by MAP kinase of cyclin translation and degradation.