An analysis of acid polysaccharides produced at fertilization of sea urchin
Review articleOpen access
K. Ishihara - No affiliation found
1968/07/01 Full-length article DOI: 10.1016/0014-4827(68)90137-7
Journal: Experimental Cell Research
Abstract:
AbstractA substance rich in acid polysaccharides is produced at fertilization of sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. The substance (designated as fertilization product, FP) was found to have a similar composition as in other species of sea urchins, containing fucose, mannose, glucose, galactose, hexosamine, sulfate, cations and 16 amino acids. The fertilization product was located at the egg surface and extruded into the perivitelline space and surrounding medium at fertilization. The acidic character of the fertilization product would be due to sulfate groups rather than acidic amino acids. Sixty-two per cent or more of “fertilization acid” were accounted for by the release of the acid polysaccharides.
Request full text