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Updated: Jul 27, 2025

Embryo Microinjection and Electroporation in the Chordate Ciona intestinalis
Published on: October 16, 2016
Plasma Membrane Glycoproteins of Ciona intestinalis Spermatozoa that Interact with the Egg
Gianna Casazza1, Rosaria DE Santis1, Maria Rosaria Pinto1,2
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Stazione Zoologica di Napoli, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy.
Abstract:
In the ascidian Ciona intestinalis the species-specific interaction between the spermatozoon and the egg occurs between the vitelline coat (VC) of the egg and the plasma membrane of the apical part of the head of the spermatozoa. Concanavalin A (Con A)-binding sites are present on this area of the sperm surface. We used Con A to identify and isolate the spermatozoon plasma membrane components that may be involved in the interaction with the VC. These glycoproteins have been identified on SDS-PAGE of a sperm membrane fraction (SMF) enriched with the extermal proteins, after incubation of the gel with 3 H-Con A. Affinity chromatography on Con A-agarose has been used for the purification of sperm plasma membrane proteins with and affinity for the lectin. The biological activity of the Con A-retained fraction was determined with binding and fertilization assays.
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