Changes in protein synthesis following fertilization of the mouse ovum

Abstract

A quantitative method utilizing double isotope labeling with ³H-methionine and ³⁵S-methionine and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was employed to compare synthesis of 95 individual proteins in fertilized and unfertilized mouse ova. It was found that six proteins had significantly (P < 0.05) increased rates of synthesis while 11 proteins had significantly (P < 0.05) decreased rates of synthesis following fertilization. The studies indicate that there are changes in the synthetic rates of a much larger number of proteins at the time of fertilization than expected from previous reports.