title: Ultrastructure of collagen in sea urchin embryos.
abstract: Collagen fibrils with a main period banding of 610 Å and 220 Å in width were observed in the blastocoel of 72-h embryos of the sea urchin,Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Non-striated fibrils of 50 Å diameter were also observed. The collagen is seen in highest concentration in the vicinity of mesenchyme cells which are richly endowed with endoplasmic reticulum and secretory vesicles. A role for collagen in cell attachment, orientation and spicule formation is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Hayward, 94542, Hayward, California, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Crise-Benson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Hayward, 94542, Hayward, California, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carl Benson
keywords: Collagen; Embryo; Sea urchin; Ultrastructure