3H]serotonin binding to blastula, gastrula, prism, and pluteus sea urchin embryo cells

1. The presence of serotonin binding sites in blastula, gastrula, prism, and pluteus embryos of the sea urchin, Arbacia punctulata, was investigated by the binding of radiolabelled serotonin to dissociated embryo cells. 2. 3H]serotonin binding sites were identified in prism, early pluteus, and advanced pluteus larvae, but not in blastula or gastrula embryos. 3. The ontogeny of 3H]serotonin binding activity closely parallels that of serotonin content as previously reported in Paracentrotus lividus embryos (Toneby, 1977a). 4. Results of this study support a regulatory role of serotonin in developmental processes in postgastrula sea urchin embryos.