Fertilization envelope assembly in sea urchin eggs inseminated in chloride-deficient sea water: II. Biochemical effects.
Eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus were fertilized in normal and in several chloride-deficient sea waters ([ Cl-]: normal greater than isethionate greater than methyl sulfonate greater than bromide). The fertilization envelopes (FE) were thinner and failed to harden, and the characteristic I-T transition did not occur. The permeability of the experimental FEs, as determined by release of protein from the perivitelline space, increased in the order of decreasing [Cl-]. Release of the enzymes beta-1,3-glucanase and cortical granule protease were not significantly altered. On the other hand, release of ovoperoxidase was increased three to four times in bromide sea water. Furthermore, a dose-response was observed in varying concentrations of bromide-normal sea water. With decreasing chloride (increasing bromide) concentration, more ovoperoxidase activity was observed. Cytochemical localization of ovoperoxidase activity with diaminobenzidine revealed almost a total lack of staining of FEs from bromide-substituted sea water. The results suggest that in chloride-deficient sea waters protein incorporation into the nascent FE is impaired. At least in the case of bromide, the incorporation of ovoperoxidase into the nascent FE was also inhibited.
Green
J D
JD
Department of Anatomy, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112.
Glas
P S
PS
Cheng
S D
SD
Lynn
J W
JW
D000818:Animals; D002712:Chlorides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D012617:Sea Urchins / Q000502:physiology*; D012623:Seawater; D015053:Zygote / Q000378:metabolism
D002712:Chlorides; D004527:Egg Proteins; D004798:Enzymes