Localization and partial characterization of a molecule found in the plasma membrane of starfish and sea urchin embryos using a novel monoclonal antibody

Abstract

A monoclonal antibody, P212, has been developed which reacts against 120 kD and 90 kD proteins, P212 antigens found in the plasma membranes of both starfish and sea urchin embryos. Immunocytochemical studies with colloidal gold tagged P212 showed that the P212 antigens are also found on the inner membranes of several different types of granules and vesicles located in the eggs and cytoplasm of embryonic cells, and in the trans region of the Golgi apparatus. One or both of the P212 antigens are also found in the cortical granules, granules which are exocytosed at fertilization. They are not found on intracellular membrane structures such as the rough endoplasmic reticulum, the nuclear membrane, or a number of deeper granular structures. The P212 antigens are probably located on the membranes of vesicles which are on the exocytosis-endocytosis pathway and may be involved in cell trafficking.