Is homarine a morphogen in the marine hydroid Hydractinia?

Abstract

Homogenate of coelenterate tissue interferes with metamorphosis in Hydractinia and pattern formation in both Hydractinia, and Hydra. From the extracts two fractions comprising low-molecular-weight compounds with strong metamorphosis-inhibiting activity were separated. One of these contains, as the active compound, homarine (N-methyl picolinic acid). Homarine concentrations down to 10^-6 mol/l stop or retard metamorphosis. High concentrations block the continuation of metamorphosis as long as they are maintained in the culture medium and treatment with homarine during metamorphosis influences the proportioning of the future polyp's body pattern. Most of the homarine found in Hydra tissue derives from Artemia given as food. It is not identical with inhibitor I, an activity partially purified from Hydra tissue, which prevents head and foot formation in Hydra.

Keywords: Homarine; Hydra; Hydractinia; Nicotinamide; Pattern formation.