Detection and quantification of 1-methyladenine released and stored in starfish follicle cells

In starfish, maturation of gametes and spawning are controlled by a hormonal pathway. A gonadotropin (gonad-stimulating substance or GSS) is elaborated in the nerve cords and induces follicle cells and/or accessory cells to produce a second messenger (maturation-inducing substance, MIS) identified as 1-Methyladenine. 1-Methyladenine induces reinitiation of meiosis, maturation and spawning of gametes.