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Ultrastructure of collagen in sea urchin embryos

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Summary

Collagen fibrils with a main period banding of 610 Å and 220 Å in width were observed in the blastocoel of 72-h embryos of the sea urchin,Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Non-striated fibrils of 50 Å diameter were also observed. The collagen is seen in highest concentration in the vicinity of mesenchyme cells which are richly endowed with endoplasmic reticulum and secretory vesicles. A role for collagen in cell attachment, orientation and spicule formation is discussed.

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Crise-Benson, N., Carl Benson, S. Ultrastructure of collagen in sea urchin embryos. Wilhelm Roux' Archiv 186, 65–70 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00848108

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