Figure 2.

P bodies adopt a less dynamic and arrested physical state

(A–E) Mature oocyte expressing Me31B::GFP.

(A) Time series of a P body displaying elastic behavior, starting in an extended state (t = 0 min) and subsequently relaxing toward a spherical morphology (t = 30 min). Plot of individual P body (n = 10) A.R over time showing relaxation from extended (A.R∼3) to spherical morphology (A.R∼1).

(B) Time series of two in vivo P bodies undergoing coalescence (white arrowheads) (n = 20).

(B′) Time series of a single in vivo P body undergoing fission to form two distinct condensates (white arrowheads) (n = 20).

(C) Cartoon depicting cytoplasmic extrusion of P bodies into halocarbon oil (ex vivo) induced by puncturing the outer membrane of the mature oocyte. Created with BioRender.com.

(C′) Ex vivo P bodies displaying stretched elastic morphologies shortly after extrusion (t = 0 min). Over time, extruded P bodies relax into homogeneous spherical condensates (t = 30 min, n = 25).

(D) Time series of ex vivo P bodies undergoing coalescence (white arrowheads) (n = 20).

(D′) Time series of ex vivo extruded P bodies undergoing fission (white arrowheads) (n = 5).

(E) Time series of whole FRAP of P body shows minimal recovery, whereas internal FRAP of P body shows increased recovery of Me31B fluorescence.

(F) P body recovery profiles after whole FRAP (n = 20) and internal FRAP (n = 24) (mean, standard deviation).

Scale bar, 2.5 μm (A–D′), 10 μm (C′), 1.5 μm (E).

See also Figures S1 and S2.