Mice deficient in N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate 6-o-sulfotransferase are unable to synthesize chondroitin/dermatan sulfate containing N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate residues and exhibit decreased protease activity in bone marrow-derived mast cells.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) containing N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate (GalNAc(4,6-SO(4))) show various physiological activities through interacting with numerous functional proteins. N-Acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase (GalNAc4S-6ST) transfers sulfate from 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate to position 6 of N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate in CS or DS to yield GalNAc(4,6-SO(4)) residues. We here report generation of transgenic mice that lack GalNAc4S-6ST.

Sperm penetration and transformation of sperm entry site in eggs of the freshwater teleost Rhodeus ocellatus ocellatus.

Eggs of bony fishes are enveloped by an egg envelope (chorion) in which a micropyle is present near the animal pole. Therefore, sperm penetration into the eggs is limited to the sperm entry site (SES), a region of plasma membrane just beneath the micropyle. In rose bitterling eggs, the SES transforms from a tuft of microvilli into a swollen mass (SM) that continues to plug the micropyle after sperm penetration.

Involvement of Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA)-Binding Protein in the Induction of the Acrosome Reaction of the Sea Urchin, Strongylocentrotus intermedius. I. WGA Affects the Ion Fluxes Associated with the Acrosome Reaction: (sea urchin/acrosome reaction/wheat germ agglutinin/ion flux/species specificity).

The lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) inhibited the egg jelly-induced acrosome reaction (AR) of sperm of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus intermedius. Fluorescein-conjugated WGA applied to sperm bound to the acrosomal region, to the midpiece, and to the tip of the flagellum. These effects were not observed in the presence of N-acetly-D-glucosamine.

Effects of Forskolin on Fine Structures of Medaka Follicles: (forskolin/medaka follicle/cell organelle/cell junction/oocyte maturation).

Effects of forskolin (FK), which stimulates production of 17α, 20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and estradiol-17β, on the fine structure of preovulatory follicles of Oryzias latipes were examined. Granulosa cells incubated in culture medium containing FK exhibited dislocation of the nucleus from the chorion side to the basement membrane side, vesiculation of conspicuous dilated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with electron-dense material and Golgi lamellae, and development of large oval mitochondria with an electron-dense matrix. Moreover, a thin vesicular layer adherent to the outermost layer of the chorion was found in all immature oocytes at the end of incubation in the presence of FK.

FINE STRUCTURE OF LOACH OOCYTES DURING MATURATION IN VITRO.

The morphological changes during in vitro maturation of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus oocyte are described. The process of oocyte maturation can be divided into three provisional stages based on morphological events. Fully-grown, immature oocytes are opaque yellowish-white.

INITIATION OF CLEAVAGE IN FISH EGGS BY INJECTION OF FLAGELLA OR MICROTUBULES OF SEA URCHIN SPERMATOZOA.

Flagella and their microtubules obtained from sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) spermatozoa were injected into unfertilized eggs of the medaka (Oryzias latipes) with a micropipette. Upon activation, some of the eggs began the first cleavage with three or more irregular blastomeres, and developed to the morula stage. It is suggested that sperm flagellar microstubule material is one of the cleavage initiation substances.