Appearance and fate of a beta-galactanase, alpha, beta-galactosidases, heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate degrading enzymes during embryonic development of the mollusc Pomacea sp.

The characterization and properties of a beta-galactanase and alpha- and beta-galactosidases as well as heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate degrading enzymes which appear during the 15 days of the embryonic development of the mollusc Pomacea sp. is reported. The beta-galactanase, which appears around day 7 of development, was separated from alpha- and beta-galactosidase which emerge at day 1 and 4 after oviposition, respectively. The galactanase seems to be responsible for the degradation of an acidic beta-galactan (which is also synthesized by the eggs around day 5) to galactose and di- and tri-galactosides. Heparan sulfate appears around day 10 of development together with a heparan sulfate endoglucuronidase responsible for the degradation of its N-acetylated region. An alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase and a beta-glucuronidase which act upon the N-acetylated fragments formed from heparan sulfate emerge around day 4 of development. Chondroitin sulfate and a chondroitin sulfate sulfatase emerge around day 9 of development whereas a beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and the beta beta-galactan, heparan and chondroitin sulfate, respectively. The possible role of these elements in the migration of mesenchymal cells, in the processes of cell-cell recognition and control of cell growth is discussed.