Uvomorulin: a nonintegral membrane protein of early mouse embryo

A monoclonal antibody has allowed the characterization of various forms of uvomorulin, a glycoprotein involved in the process of compaction of mouse morula. In addition to various degradation products, uvomorulin exists as a 120-kilodalton exocellular molecule stable at the cell surface. A short-lived 135-kilodalton precursor of uvomorulin has been detected after 10-min pulse labeling. Uvomorulin-like molecules are found on various tissues at various stages of development of the mouse.