Histochemical and structural characterization of egg extra‐cellular matrix in bufonid toads, Bufo bufo and Bufotes balearicus: Molecular diversity versus morphological uniformity. Issue 11 (5th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mentino, Donatella; Mastrodonato, Maria; Rossi, Roberta; Scillitani, Giovanni
• Is Part Of: Microscopy research and technique. Volume 77:Issue 11(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 910
• Page End: 917
• Publication Date: 2014-08-05
• Subjects: Electron microscopy -- Technique -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Technique -- Periodicals; 502.825
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22414
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-910X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>The extra‐cellular matrix of fertilized eggs in the bufonid toads <italic>Bufo bufo</italic> and <italic>Bufotes balearicus</italic> was studied to clear the relationships between structural and molecular diversity. Histochemical (PAS, AB pH 2.5 and pH 1.0, Beta‐elimination PAS) and lectin‐histochemical (Con A, WGA, Succinyl‐WGA, PNA, RCA‐1, DBA, SBA, AAA, UEA‐I, LTA) techniques were used and the observations were made under light and electron microscopy. Both species present a fertilization envelope (FE) and two jelly layers (J<sub>1</sub> and J<sub>2</sub>). The fibers of J<sub>2</sub> are shared among the eggs of a clutch in a jelly ribbon. The FE of both species presents neutral glycoproteins, mostly <italic>N</italic>‐linked. In <italic>B. bufo</italic> there are also residuals of mannose and/or glucose and <italic>N</italic>‐acetylglucosamine. In the FE fibers run parallel to egg's surface or are in bundles or looser hanks with no clear orientation. The J<sub>1</sub> layer of both species presents sialosulfoglycoproteins, mostly <italic>O</italic>‐linked, with lactosaminylated, galactosaminylated, glycosaminylated, and fucosylated residuals. A lower amount of galactosaminylated residuals is observed in <italic>B. balearicus</italic> in respect to <italic>B. bufo</italic>, whereas the opposite is seen in the amount of fucosylated residuals. The J<sub>2</sub> layer is similar in composition to J<sub>1</sub> but in <italic>B. balearicus</italic> there are no glucosaminylated residuals. J layers present fibers and granules that reduce towards J<sub>2</sub>. Several microorganisms, in particular blue algae, are observed in the J<sub>2</sub> layer of both species. In respect to other species, <italic>B. bufo</italic> and <italic>B. balearicus</italic> have a lower number of jelly layers, but a comparable number of glycan types. <italic>Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:910–917, 2014</italic>. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </abstract>