Summary
We have found that Zn2+ prevented lysis of unfertilized sea urchin eggs, and the eggs retained the ability to form fertilization membranes and to divide. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that proteolysis of several proteins accompanied egg lysis, but Zn2+ inhibited this proteolysis. Therefore, Zn2+ blocks protease activity directly or indirectly and thereby prolongs the longevity of unfertilized sea urchin eggs.
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Nakamura, S., Oda, N., Nakamura, K. et al. Zinc increases the longevity of unfertilized sea urchin eggs. Experientia 47, 734–736 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01958830
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01958830