INTRODUCTION AND OXIDATION OF CATECHOLS DURING THE FORMATION OF THE SKATE (RAJA-ERINACEA) EGG CAPSULE

Tanning of the Raja erinacea egg capsule occurs after secretion of capsule precursors from the nidamental gland and involves the introduction of catechols and their subsequent oxidation to quinones by catechol oxidase. At the time of secretion and assembly of capsular precursors in the nidamental gland, the capsule is white, contains no catechols and lacks chemical and mechanical stability. Following formation in the nidamental gland, catechols accumulate in utero in parallel with colour development. An inactive form of catechol oxidase is incorporated in the capsular matrix at the time of secretion. Catechol oxidase activity increases concomitantly with increasing catechol content and colour development. Colour development results from catechol oxidase catalyzed oxidation of catechols to quinones. The parallel increases in colour, catechol content, catechol oxidase activity and quinone indicate that the introduction and oxidation of catechols is intimately involved in the sclerotization by quinone tanning of the capsular matrix in utero. © 1990, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. All rights reserved.