THE VITELLINE MEMBRANE AND CORTICAL PARTICLES IN
SEA URCHIN EGGS AND THEIR
FUNCTION
IN MATURATION AND
FERTILIZATION
1
JOHN RUNNSTRÖM
The Wenner-Gren Institute, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
I. Vitelline Membrane and Cortical Particles in Oocytes and Mature
Unfertilized Sea Urchin Eggs
222
A. The Structure of the Vitelline Membrane and the Cortical Layer .
.
222
B. Structure and Differentiation of the Cortical Particles
....
227
C. Histochemical and Incorporation Studies of Cortical Particles
.
.
256
II. Vitelline Membrane and Cortical Particles in the Fertilization Process .
259
A. Sperm Attachment and the Role of the Surface Layers ....
259
B. The Mechanism of Separation of the Vitelline Membrane from
the Plasma Surface
264
C. The Opening of the Cortical Particles
266
D. The Role of Enzymes in the Cortical Changes
272
E. Molecular Rearrangement after Fertilization of the Egg
.
276
F. Enzyme Activation by Removal of Inhibitors
280
G. The Impact of the Cortical Changes on Protein Synthesis and
Centrosome Replication
287
III. Structural Changes after the Opening of the Cortical Particles .
.
289
A. Conversion of the Lamellae and Extralamellar Bodies into
Components of the Fertilization Membrane and the Hyaline Layer
.
289
B. Experimental Analysis of the Structural Changes in Lamellae and
Extralamellar Bodies
292
C. Concavity Formation in the Egg Surface and the Smoothening of
the Fertilization Membrane
300
D. Changes in Mechanical and Chemical Properties of the Fertilization
Membrane after Its Elevation
303
IV. Energy Sources and Some Physicochemical Mechanisms in the
Cortical Changes
308
A. The Role of Stored Energy
308
1 Since the preparation of this review, many articles have appeared in the literature which could not be included. In several places, unpublished observations made
by workers connected with this laboratory are included with the name of the author
and the year of the observation. The figures are often unpublished originals from
work of Dr. B. Afzelius and of Dr. Jane Baxandall (Wenner-Gren Institute) ; a
few figures have been modified from previously published material. In each case
the source of the figure is given the legend. All other figures are from the files of the
author.
221
SEA URCHIN EGGS AND THEIR
FUNCTION
IN MATURATION AND
FERTILIZATION
1
JOHN RUNNSTRÖM
The Wenner-Gren Institute, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
I. Vitelline Membrane and Cortical Particles in Oocytes and Mature
Unfertilized Sea Urchin Eggs
222
A. The Structure of the Vitelline Membrane and the Cortical Layer .
.
222
B. Structure and Differentiation of the Cortical Particles
....
227
C. Histochemical and Incorporation Studies of Cortical Particles
.
.
256
II. Vitelline Membrane and Cortical Particles in the Fertilization Process .
259
A. Sperm Attachment and the Role of the Surface Layers ....
259
B. The Mechanism of Separation of the Vitelline Membrane from
the Plasma Surface
264
C. The Opening of the Cortical Particles
266
D. The Role of Enzymes in the Cortical Changes
272
E. Molecular Rearrangement after Fertilization of the Egg
.
276
F. Enzyme Activation by Removal of Inhibitors
280
G. The Impact of the Cortical Changes on Protein Synthesis and
Centrosome Replication
287
III. Structural Changes after the Opening of the Cortical Particles .
.
289
A. Conversion of the Lamellae and Extralamellar Bodies into
Components of the Fertilization Membrane and the Hyaline Layer
.
289
B. Experimental Analysis of the Structural Changes in Lamellae and
Extralamellar Bodies
292
C. Concavity Formation in the Egg Surface and the Smoothening of
the Fertilization Membrane
300
D. Changes in Mechanical and Chemical Properties of the Fertilization
Membrane after Its Elevation
303
IV. Energy Sources and Some Physicochemical Mechanisms in the
Cortical Changes
308
A. The Role of Stored Energy
308
1 Since the preparation of this review, many articles have appeared in the literature which could not be included. In several places, unpublished observations made
by workers connected with this laboratory are included with the name of the author
and the year of the observation. The figures are often unpublished originals from
work of Dr. B. Afzelius and of Dr. Jane Baxandall (Wenner-Gren Institute) ; a
few figures have been modified from previously published material. In each case
the source of the figure is given the legend. All other figures are from the files of the
author.
221