Characterization of O-GlcNAcylation in starfish (Asterina pectinifera) development from fertilization to bipinnaria larva

Though O-linked β-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) of nucleocytoplasmic proteins has been found in many multicellular organisms, its presence or absence in Echinodermata is unknown. Here we report the occurrence of O-GlcNAcylation in starfish (Asterina pectinifera) oocytes and the apparent O-GlcNAcylation pattern in starfish early development. O-GlcNAcylation might participate in the regulation of starfish development at the mid-blastula stage and thereafter.