title: Gamete self-discrimination in ascidians: a role for the follicle cells.
abstract: Gamete self-incompatibility in the hermaphrodite tunicate Ciona intestinalis is a useful system with which to study self-nonself recognition. We have used in vitro fertilization of oocytes isolated from the gonad of Ciona intestinalis to identify the cellular source of self-sterility elements present on the egg envelopes. Here we show for the first time that self-discrimination, which occurs on the egg vitelline coat, is established there in late oogenesis and is contributed or controlled by products of the overlying follicle cells. The acquisition of self-sterility by the oocyte is prevented by the ionophore monensin, which suggests that the follicle cell self-sterility controlling factor is a glycoprotein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Stazione Zoologica A. Dohrn di Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D006066:Gonads / Q000502:physiology; D008985:Monensin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D014817:Vitelline Membrane / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D008985:Monensin