Metabolism of a Glycosaminoglycan during Metamorphosis in the Japanese Conger eel, Conger myriaster
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Updated: May 20, 2026

Apoptosis Induction and Detection in a Primary Culture of Sea Cucumber Intestinal Cells
Published on: January 21, 2020
Yutaka Kawakami1, Hiromi Oku, Kazuharu Nomura
1Nanae Fresh Water Laboratory, Field Science Center of Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Nanae, 041-1105 Hokkaido, Japan.
Abstract:
Hyaluronan (HA) is a linear polysaccharide of high molecular weight that exists as a component of the extracellular matrix. The larvae (leptocephali) of the Japanese conger eel (Anguilliformes: Conger myriaster) have high levels of hyaluronan (HA) which is thought to help control body water content. We isolated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) from Japanese conger eel leptocephali and measured the changes in tissue HA content during metamorphosis. HA content decreased during metamorphosis. In contrast, neutral sugar content increased during metamorphosis. We hypothesize that the leptocephali utilize a metabolic pathway that converts HA to glucose during metamorphosis. Glucose may then be metabolized to glycogen and stored in the juvenile life-history stage.
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