APPEARANCE AND FATE OF A BETA-GALACTANASE, ALPHA,BETA-GALACTOSIDASES,HEPARAN-SULFATE AND CHONDROITIN SULFATE DEGRADING ENZYMES DURING DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOLLUSK POMACEA SP

The characterization and properties of a beta-galactanase and alpha- a nd beta-galactosidases as well as heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulf ate degrading enzymes which appear during the 15 days of the embryonic development of the mollusc Pomacea sp. is reported. The beta-galactan ase, which appears around day 7 of development, was separated from alp ha- and beta-galactosidase which emerge at day 1 and 4 after ovipositi on, respectively. The galactanase seems to be responsible for the degr adation of an acidic beta-galactan (which is also synthesized by the e ggs around day 5) to galactose and di- and tri-galactosides. Heparan s ulfate appears around day 10 of development together with a heparan su lfate endoglucuronidase responsible for the degradation of its N-acety lated region. An alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase and a beta-glucuronidas e which act upon the N-acetylated fragments formed from heparan sulfat e emerge around day 4 of development. Chondroitin sulfate and a chondr oitin sulfate sulfatase emerge around day 9 of development whereas a b eta-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.