The cytochrome system of sea urchin eggs and embryos

The cytochrome system in eggs and embryos of the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, was investigated. Difference spectra of the mitochondrial fraction demonstrated the presence of a complete cytochrome system in unfertilized eggs. Cytochrome levels and the activities of respiratory enzymes were measured in crude extracts of eggs both before and after fertilization. Unfertilized eggs contained cytochromes aa3, b, and c + c1 in a ratio of 1.0:1.8:0.7. Gastrulae contained almost the same amount of cytochromes aa3 and b as unfertilized eggs. However, the amount of cytochrome c + c1 in gastrulae was 1.5 times greater than that in unfertilized eggs. The activity of cytochrome oxidase remained unchanged during development. No cytochrome oxidase inhibitor was found in unfertilized eggs. Both antimycin A-sensitive and insensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase activities increased during development. The activity of succinate-cytochrome c reductase increased during early development, reached a temporary plateau, and then declined at the pluteus stage. These results are discussed in relation to the increase of respiration during early development.