Abstract
ON fertilization, sea urchin eggs release soluble macromolecules which are referred to collectively as the fertilization product. We have described1 a trypsin-like activity in the fertilization product which may be involved in the elevation and transformation of the vitelline layer into the fertilization membrane. Soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) abolished the activity of this fertilization protease in vitro; if fertilization occurs in SBTI the elevation of the vitelline layer is severely impaired1.
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VACQUIER, V., TEGNER, M. & EPEL, D. Protease Activity establishes the Block against Polyspermy in Sea Urchin Eggs. Nature 240, 352–353 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/240352a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/240352a0
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