Selective inhibitors of membrane fusion events during fertilization and embryogenesis

Membrane fusion is an important cellular event but there are few specific inhibitors of this cellular event which are not accompanied by non-specific cytotoxicity. We found that jaspisins 1 and 2, obtained from the sponge, Jaspis sp. , inhibited sperm-egg fusion of the sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus), but did not affect cell division of fertilized eggs, blastulation nor gastrulation.