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Published on: January 21, 2014
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CHANGE IN THE ACTIVITY OF ARYLESTERASE IN SEA URCHIN EGGS FOLLOWING FERTILIZATION
M Mita1, I Yasumasu1
1Department of Biology, School of Education, Waseda University, 1-6-1 Nislhiwuscda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160, Japan.
Development, Growth & Differentiation
|June 7, 2023
Summary
Arylesterase activity in sea urchin eggs changes dynamically after fertilization. Enzyme activity is modulated by fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FDP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Sea urchin eggs (Anthocidaris craxsispina) are model organisms for studying fertilization.
- Enzyme activity dynamics are crucial for understanding early embryonic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in arylesterase activity in sea urchin eggs post-fertilization.
- To identify factors that modulate arylesterase activity in unfertilized eggs.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme activity assays on sea urchin egg homogenates.
- Fractionation of egg homogenates via ultracentrifugation.
- Treatment of enzyme preparations with fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FDP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).
Main Results:
- Arylesterase activity increased approximately 1.5-fold at 5 minutes post-fertilization, then decreased below unfertilized levels by 15 minutes.
- Enzyme activity in unfertilized eggs was enhanced by specific concentrations of FDP (4-10 μM) and cGMP (0.1-0.3 μM).
- Arylesterase activity was detected in both microsomal and supernatant fractions of egg homogenates.
Conclusions:
- Fertilization triggers significant, transient changes in sea urchin egg arylesterase activity.
- FDP and cGMP can modulate arylesterase activity, suggesting potential regulatory roles.
- Arylesterase is localized in multiple cellular compartments within sea urchin eggs.
