ECB-ART-36418
Zygote
1994 Aug 01;23:221-5. doi: 10.1017/s096719940000201x.
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Producing exposed coat-free embryos.
Abstract
Production of embryos that are free of tough outer coats facilitates studies that are not possible with embryos surrounded by impenetrable envelopes. This report describes a new procedure for preventing formation of fertilisation membranes in the sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus) model. This procedure involves treating unfertilised eggs with the enzyme alpha-amylase, which cleaves alpha-1,4 glucosidic bonds in the vitelline layer. A major advantage of this method is that it is very well defined and completely controllable with alpha-amylase inhibitor. The results suggest that intact alpha-1,4 glucosidic bonds are essential for vitelline layer integrity required for formation of the fertilisation membrane. Eggs treated with alpha-amylase possessed the same surface lectin receptors as untreated eggs and, as shown by light and transmission electron microscopy, produced healthy, cleaving embryos that were free of fertilisation envelopes.
PubMed ID: 8785680
Article link: Zygote
Genes referenced: LOC100887844 LOC577636 mgat4c