IMMUNO-ELECTRON MICROSCOPE ANALYSIS OF THE SURFACE LAYERS OF THE UNFERTILISED SEA URCHIN EGG. I. EFFECTS OF THE ANTISERA ON THE CELL ULTRASTRUCTURE

IMMUNO-ELECTRON MICROSCOPE ANALYSIS OF THE SURFACE LAYERS OF THE UNFERTILISED SEA URCHIN EGG. II. LOCALISATION OF SURFACE ANTIGENS

The immunological properties of the surface layers of Paracentrotus lividus eggs have been studied further by using ferritin-labelled antibody to localise specific antigenic sites. In order to detect a wider spectrum of antigenic determinants, several antisera against egg and jelly substance have been employed in combination with absorption procedures using lyophilised antigen. This use of absorbed antisera was made feasible by adding ferritin label in a second antiserum layer of ferritin-anti-γ-globulin. Eggs were treated with antibody for short periods to detect antigenic sites without incurring structural changes (shown in previous paper) resulting from long antibody treatment. Unspecific ferritin uptake, found in pinocytotic vesicles and yolk granules, is considered in relation to yolk formation. The jelly layer, found to be immunologically heterogeneous, included one component interacting with antijelly γ-globulin and one with antiegg γ-globulin. The vitelline membrane proved to be rich in egg antigens (heat-stable and heat-labile). The role of this layer in specificity of fertilisation, parthenogenetic activation, and the possibility of being analogous to a basement membrane are discussed. Few antigenic sites were found on the plasma membrane with antiegg γ-globulin. This γ-globulin resulted in some specific labelling of cortical granules and its action is considered in relation to the permeability properties of the egg.

Sperm-binding proteins

Gamete recognition and binding are mediated by specific proteins on the surface of the sperm and egg. Identification and characterization of some of these proteins from several model systems, particularly mouse and sea urchin, have focused interest on the general properties and functions of gamete recognition proteins. Sperm-binding proteins located in egg extracellular coats as well as sperm-binding proteins that are localized to the egg plasma membrane are presented in the context of their structure and function in gamete binding. Unifying and disparate characteristics are discussed in light of the diverse biology of fertilization among species. Outstanding questions, alternative mechanisms and models, and strategies for future work are presented.

Monoclonal antibodies to the sea urchin egg vitelline layer inhibit fertilization by blocking sperm adhesion

Thirty-one mouse hybridomas were produced against the vitelline layer (VL) of the egg of the sea urchin S. purpuratus. Ascites fluids of eight of the 31 bound to the VL surface in the high ionic strength conditions of sea water. Binding was specific to the VL, since immunofluorescence showed that the antibodies elevated from the egg surface with the fertilization envelope after activation with ionophore A23187. Antibody binding was strictly species-specific, the eggs of L. pictus showing no reaction. An immunoperoxidase surface-binding assay showed a wide range in the amount of each monoclonal antibody binding to the VL surface at saturation. All eight monoclonals inhibit fertilization by inhibiting the binding of sperm to the VL. None of the eight ascites fluids reacted with egg jelly. The inhibition of fertilization correlates positively with amount of antibody binding the egg surface. In contrast to the effects of polyclonal rabbit antisera raised against whole eggs or egg cortices, these eight monoclonal antibodies to the VL do not induce the wrinkling of the egg, the cortical granule reaction, the centering of pronuclei, or any other visual indication of metabolic activation.