Sperm binding and formation of the fertilization envelope by surface complexes isolated from sea urchin eggs

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 578-579
Author(s):  
Glenn L. Decker
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Secretory Vesicles ◽  
Surface Complexes ◽  
Exterior Surface ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Acrosomal Reaction ◽  
Initial Interaction ◽  
Cortical Vesicles

During fertilization of the echinoderm egg the sperm cell undergoes the acrosomal reaction and binds species-specifically to the vitelline layer, which is attached to the exterior surface of the egg plasma membrane. Following initial interaction and fusion of the limiting membranes of the egg and the sperm, the cortical vesicles attached to the inner surface of the egg plasma membrane (Fig. 1) fuse and secrete components which appear to modify the vitelline layer, giving rise to the fertilization envelope.Recently, the surface and associated secretory vesicles of the egg were isolated from homogenates by differential centrifugation in sea water containing 25 mM EGTA (Fig. 2) (2). Determination of the extent to which this cell surface-secretory complex can be induced to mimic fertilization related events observed with intact eggs is currently in progress.

scholarly journals Sperm binding and fertilization envelope formation in a cell surface complex isolated from sea urchin eggs.

1979 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
G L Decker ◽  
W J Lennarz
Keyword(s):  
Sea Water ◽  
Secretory Vesicles ◽  
Surface Complex ◽  
Surface Complexes ◽  
Exterior Surface ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Specific Manner ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Species Specific

An isolated surface complex consisting of the vitelline layer, plasma membrane, and attached secretory vesicles has been examined for its ability to bind sperm and to form the fertilization envelope. Isolated surface complexes (or intact eggs) fixed in glutaraldehyde and then washed in artificial sea water are capable of binding sperm in a species-specific manner. Sperm which bind to the isolated surface complex exhibit the acrosomal process only when they are associated with the exterior surface (vitelline layer) of the complex. Upon resuspension of the unfixed surface complex in artificial sea water, a limiting envelope is formed which, based on examination of thin sections and negatively stained surface preparations, is structurally similar to the fertilization envelope formed by the fertilized egg. These results suggest that the isolated egg surface complex retains the sperm receptor, as well as integrated functions for the secretion of components involved in assembly of the fertilization envelope.

Immunogold and immunoblot studies on a cell surface protein found in primary mesenchyme cells and in the cortical secretory vesicles of the sea urchin egg

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 832-833
Author(s):  
G.L. Decker ◽  
M.C. Valdizan
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Egg Cell ◽  
Secretory Vesicles ◽  
Cell Surface Protein ◽  
Surface Complexes ◽  
Mesenchyme Cells ◽  
Lowicryl K4m ◽  
Primary Mesenchyme Cells

A monoclonal antibody designated MAb 1223 has been used to show that primary mesenchyme cells of the sea urchin embryo express a 130-kDa cell surface protein that may be directly involved in Ca2+ uptake required for growth of skeletal spicules. Other studies from this laboratory have shown that the 1223 antigen, although in relatively low abundance, is also expressed on the cell surfaces of unfertilized eggs and on the majority of blastomeres formed prior to differentiation of the primary mesenchyme cells.We have studied the distribution of 1223 antigen in S. purpuratus eggs and embryos and in isolated egg cell surface complexes that contain the cortical secretory vesicles. Specimens were fixed in 1.0% paraformaldehyde and 1.0% glutaraldehyde and embedded in Lowicryl K4M as previously reported. Colloidal gold (8nm diameter) was prepared by the method of Mulpfordt.

The extracellular matrix of echinoderm and amphibian eggs: Visualization in quick-frozen, deep-etched, and rotary-shadowed specimens

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 60-61
Author(s):  
Barry Bonnell ◽  
Carolyn Larabell ◽  
Douglas Chandler
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Crystalline Structure ◽  
Cortical Granule ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Small Peptides ◽  
Deep Etching ◽  
Quick Freezing ◽  
Acrosomal Reaction

Eggs of many species including those of echinoderms, amphibians and mammals exhibit an extensive extracellular matrix (ECM) that is important both in the reception of sperm and in providing a block to polyspermy after fertilization.In sea urchin eggs there are two distinctive coats, the vitelline layer which contains glycoprotein sperm receptors and the jelly layer that contains fucose sulfate glycoconjugates which trigger the acrosomal reaction and small peptides which act as chemoattractants for sperm. The vitelline layer (VL), as visualized by quick-freezing, deep-etching, and rotary-shadowing (QFDE-RS), is a fishnet-like structure, anchored to the plasma membrane by short posts. Orbiting above the VL are horizontal filaments which are thought to anchor the thicker jelly layer to the egg. Upon fertilization, the VL elevates and is transformed by cortical granule secretions into the fertilization envelope (FE). The rounded casts of microvilli in the VL are transformed into angular peaks and the envelope becomes coated inside and out with sheets of paracrystalline protein having a quasi-two dimensional crystalline structure.

scholarly journals Harnessing PET to track micro- and nanoplastics in vivo

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Outi Keinänen ◽  
Eric J. Dayts ◽  
Cindy Rodriguez ◽  
Samantha M. Sarrett ◽  
James M. Brennan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Water ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Nuclear Imaging ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Biodistribution Studies ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
20 Nm ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Behavior

AbstractThe proliferation of plastics in the environment continues at an alarming rate. Plastic particles have been found to be persistent and ubiquitous pollutants in a variety of environments, including sea water, fresh water, soil, and air. In light of this phenomenon, the scientific and medical communities have become increasingly wary of the dangers posed to human health by chronic exposure to microplastics (< 5 mm diameter) and nanoplastics (< 100 nm diameter). A critical component of the study of the health effects of these pollutants is the accurate determination of their pharmacokinetic behavior in vivo. Herein, we report the first use of molecular imaging to track polystyrene (PS) micro- and nanoplastic particles in mammals. To this end, we have modified PS particles of several sizes—diameters of 20 nm, 220 nm, 1 µm, and 6 µm—with the chelator desferrioxamine (DFO) and radiolabeled these DFO-bearing particles with the positron-emitting radiometal zirconium-89 (89Zr; t1/2 ~ 3.3 d). Subsequently, positron emission tomography (PET) was used to visualize the biodistribution of these radioplastics in C57BL/6J mice at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after ingestion. The imaging data reveal that the majority of the radioplastics remain in the gastrointestinal tract and are eliminated through the feces by 48 h post-ingestion, a result reinforced by acute biodistribution studies. Ultimately, this work suggests that nuclear imaging—and PET in particular—can be a sensitive and effective tool in the urgent and rapidly growing effort to study the in vivo behavior and potential toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics.

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