ISSN:
0148-7280
Keywords:
immunoperoxidase localization
;
fertilization
;
Xenopus laevis
;
cortical reaction
;
block to polyspermy
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
At fertilization, the vitelline envelope surrounding the egg of Xenopus laevis is modified by the addition of an electron-dense component termed the “F layer.” The F layer functions as a block to polyspermy and as a block to the escape of macromolecules from the perivitelline space, thereby causing an osmotically driven envelope elevation. F-layer formation has been hypothesized to result from interaction between a cortical-granule lectin, released in the cortical reaction, and a jelly-coat ligand. Evidence for this hypothesis was sought by determining the location of the cortical-granule lectin both before and after fertilization, using a specific antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. The cortical-granule lectin was localized only in the cortical granules of the unfertilized egg and was located predominantly in the perivitelline space and the F layer of a fertilized egg. These observations support the hypothesis that the F layer is formed by a cortical-granule-Iectin-jelly layer-ligand interaction.
Additional Material:
4 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrd.1120010104
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