A. V. Kuznetsov1, A. V. Pirkova2, G. A. Dvoryanchikov3, E. A. Panfertsev1,
A. V. Gavryushkin1,4, I. V. Kuznetsova5, and V. E. Erokhin2
1State Scientific Center of Applied Microbiology, Obolensk, Moscow region, 142279 Russia
2Institute of Biology of Southern Seas, Sevastopol, Crimean Region, 335011 Ukraine
3Institute of Physiology, Biochemistry, and Nutrition, Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences,
Borovsk, Kaluga Region, 249010 Russia
4Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142292 Russia
5State Science-Research Institute of Control, Standardization, and Certification of Veterinary Drugs,
Moscow, 123022 Russia
Received July 7, 1999; in final form, June 27, 2000
Abstract—The possibility of transferring exogenous DNA into eggs by mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam.
sperms both with the use of certain methods of transfection and without them was studied. The efficacy of egg
fertilization by sperms treated with foreign DNA and the development of larvae at early stages of embryogen-
esis were evaluated. Negative effects of the contact between mussel sperms and exogenous DNA on fertilization
and subsequent development were noted. The proportion of developing larvae decreased with increasing DNA
concentration and sperm exposure. Transfer of plasmids pCMVlacZ and pMTbGH into eggs was observed in
group crosses. With the use of PCR, foreign DNA sequences were found in the larvae at the stage of veliger
48h after fertilization. An intense signal was recorded after sperm electroporation in 10% DMSO.
Key words: Mytilidae, sperm, fertilization, exogenous DNA, transfection
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