Studies on the chemical structure of cod egg chorion

Abstract

The chemical structure of the cod egg chorion has been investigated in preparations of chorion obtained after decompression rupture of cod eggs. The chorion was purified free of non-integral components by sucrose gradient centrifugation or by membrane filtration. Both preparations of cod egg chorion were shown to be almost entirely proteinaceous in nature, with only minor amounts of carbohydrates present. The protein units of the chorion displayed molecular sizes and amino acid composition akin to the keratin class of proteins. The modifications and developmental fate of chorion keratins are discussed.