Echinus esculentus

Unkles, S.E., Bacterial flora of the sea urchin Echinus esculentus, Appl. Env. Microb., 34, 347, 1977. 

In addition to cholesterol and 5a-cholest-7-en-3y8-ol, many C2g and C29 conventional sterols are present in Echinodermata. These sterols are probably derived from the diet. However, echinoderms are able to synthesize sterols. Thus, [ C]mevalonic acid was incorporated into squalene, lanosterol and desmosterol by the sea urchin. Echinus esculentus [87]. The ability of ophiurpids to synthesize sterol from [ C]acetate has also been demonstrated [88]. Sterol biosynthesis by a holothuroid was first investigated by Numura [89], and sterol biosynthesis from [ C]acetate in sea cucumbers has also been reported [90]. 

Glutathione S -transferase activity (substrate CDNB) was present in the starfish Psilaster andromeda, Pseudoarcaster parelii and A, rubens, the sea urchin Echinus esculentus and the sea cucumber Parastichopus tremulus viz. 10.7 to 51.6 nmol min mg protein no activity was detected with DCNB as substrate and only low activity with ETHA (Stenersen et al. 1987). Low UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity has been indicated in the sea urchin Erechinus chloroticus towards substituted phenols and in other echinoderm species towards 2-aminophenol, but only in sexually mature animals (Dutton 1980). 

Service, M. and Wardlaw, A.C. (1984) Ediinochrome-A as a bactericidal substance in the coelotnic fluid of Echinus esculentus (L.). Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 79B, 161-165. 

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