CHANGES IN PROTEIN-COMPOSITION DURING CHICK-EMBRYO RETINA DEVELOPMENT

Two dimensional gel electrophoresis was employed to analyse the protei n composition of chick embryo retina during ''in ovo'' development in order to individuate some components which are typical of different st ages of growth. The study of protein composition of 7-day-old chick em bryo retinas revealed the presence of about eighty different soluble c omponents. In four of these proteins the staining intensity decreased during retina development. One of these components, of 35 KD with an i soelectric point of about 5.15, was partially purified by means of pre parative isoelectric focusing. Other components, which were absent at day 7 appeared during the second week of development and were clearly visualised at day 16. These results were also compared with those obta ined by means of 2DGE performed on liver and brain of chick embryo at day 7 and 16 of development.