The Biochemistry of Development

Contents

Foreword

Chapter I. Gametogenesis

A. Introductory Remarks

B. Oogenesis

1. General Metabolism

2. The Role of Follicle Cells in Yolk Formation

3. The Cytoplasm of The Growing Oocyte

4 . The Nucleus of the Oocyte (Germinal Vesicle)

C. Spermatogenesis

1. The Acrosome

2 . The Nucleus

3 . The Middle Piece

4 . The Tail

5 . The Metabolism of Spermatozoa

Chapter II. Fertilization

1. Morphological Changes At Fertilization

(a) The Acrosome Reaction

(b) Morphology of Cortical Changes During The Fertilization of Sea Urchin Eggs

2. Physical Changes At Fertilization

3. The Sperm-Egg Interacting Substances (Gamones)

(a) Fertilizin

(b) Antifertilizin From Eggs

(c) Antifertilizin From Sperm

(d) Lysine From Sperm

(e) Recent Immunological Studies On Fertilization

4. Metabolic Changes At Fertilization

(a) Energy Production

(b) Carbohydrate Metabolism

(c) Lipid Metabolism

(d) Protein Metabolism

(e) Nucleic Acid Metabolism

5. Conclusions

Chapter III. Cleavage

1. Morphology and Cytochemistry of the Dividing Egg

(a) Chromosomes

(b) The Achromatic Apparatus (Spindle and Asters)

(c) Ultra-Structural Changes During Cleavage

(d) Short Description of Frequent Mitotic Abnormalities During Egg Cleavage

2. Biochemistry of Cleavage

{a) Energy Requirements

(b) DNA Synthesis During Cleavage

(c) Links Between DNA Synthesis and Energy Production

3. The Importance of Nucleic Acids and Proteins in Cleavage

(a) DNA 102

(b) RNA 102

(c) —SH-Containing Compounds

4. The Formation of the Furrow During Cleavage

Chapter IV. Chemical Embryology of Invertebrate Eggs

1. Ctenophores

2. Worms

3. Molluscs

(a) Limnaea Eggs

(b) Mytilus Eggs

(c) Ilyanassa and Dentalium Eggs

4. Ascidian Eggs

5. Sea Urchin Eggs

(a) Experimental Embryology and Ultra-Structure

(b) Chemical Embryology

Chapter V. Chemical Embryology of Vertebrate Eggs

1. Energy Production in Vertebrate Eggs

(a) Effects of Anaerobiosis and Metabolic Inhibitors On Development

(b Oxygen Consumption

(c) Local Differences in Oxygen Consumption

(d) Qualitative Metabolic Changes During Development: Respiratory Quotient and Carbohydrate Metabolism

(e) Experiments On the Incorporation of 14CO2

(f) ATP Production and Utilization

(g) Distribution of Mitochondria

2. The Chemical Nature of the Inducing Substance

3. RNA and Protein Metabolism of Intact Eggs

(a) RNA and Protein Synthesis in the Whole Amphibian Embryo

(b) Gradients in RNA and Protein Distribution and Synthesis

(c) RNA Distribution in The Embryos of Vertebrates Other Than Amphibians

(d) Experimental Modifications of RNA Synthesis and Morphogenesis : Effects On RNA Gradients in Amphibian Eggs

4 . Other Important Biochemical Factors in Morphogenesis

5. Physical Properties of The Inducing Agent

6. Conclusions

Chapter vi. Biochemical Interactions between the Nucleus and the Cytoplasm During Morphogenesis

1. A Brief Summary of Theories On Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Interactions During Morphogenesis

2. Nuclear Transfer Experiments

3. Development and Metabolism in the Complete Absence of the Nucleus

4. Haploidy—Polyspermy—Polyploidy

5. Early Lethal Genes

6. Biochemical Studies On Lethal Hybrids

Chapter VII. The Biochemistry of Differentiation

1. Archencephalic and Spinocaudal Inductions

2. Synthesis of New Proteins During Differentiation

(a) Serological Experiments

(b) Biochemical (Non-Enzymatic) Studies On Differentiation

(c) Biological (Grafting) Experiments

(d) Enzymatic Studies

Author Index

Subject Index