EFFECTS OF AMANTADINE ON EARLY EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF SEA URCHIN

The morphological alterations and the effects on the metabolism of DNA, RNA, protein, and sulfate, caused by amantadine on developing sea urchin embryos have been investigated. Amantadine causes formation of exogastrulae. This phenomenon might be related to alterations of the morphogenetic movements occurring at the late blastula stage and which lead to the invagination of the endoderm. The incorporation of dTR, uracil, amino acids, and 35S-sulfate by the developing embryos is inhibited by amantadine. The uptake of amino acids and 35S-sulfate is also inhibited. It is suggested that the main effect of amantadine on the sea urchin embryos is an alteration of the cellular membranes. © 1969.