Anomalies in sea-urchin egg development induced by a novel purine isolated from the sea-anemone Bunodosoma caissarum

Abstract

Caissarone (mol. wt 229.5; melting point 285–290°C) is a novel purine isolated and purified from the sea-anemone Bunodosoma caissarum. The purine inhibits the detachment of the vitelline layer from the sea-urchin egg plasma membrane after fertilization and this effect leads to polyspermy. Various abnormalities were detected at various embryonic stages, from multipolar egg division through unequal cleavages and exogastrulation up to teratogenic effects on the sea-urchin larvae (echinopluteus).