Effects of Bonellin on fertilization and cleavage of the eggs of the sea urchin, sphaerechinus granularis

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Abstract
We have studied the structural changes occurring in the eggs of the sea urchin Sphaerechinus granularis treated with bonellin, the green pigment of the sea worm Bonellia viridis, which is responsible for the masculinization of the larva of this animal. The two major targets of bonellin appear to be the cortical structures and the nuclear membrane, while the mitochondria do not appear to be affected. As a result of bonellin treatment, cleavage is prevented while nuclear divisions proceed. The possibility is discussed that the alteration of the cortical structures may interfere with the assembly of the surface microfilaments and hence with the formation of the cleavage furrows.

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