[Electrophoretic detection of protein fractions in extracts of the ocular tentacles of Helix aspersa Müller, 1774 (Gasteropoda, Pulmonata, Helicidae)].

The extracts from ocular tentacles of Helix aspersa hare a heterochronic inhibitive action on the development of albumen gland. In view of elucidating the origin of this heterochrony, we make an electrophoretic study of the different extracts from juveniles, adults in activity, in natural sleep and awakning. This study has allowed us to spot 19 proteic fractions common to the four extracts of the tentacles under study, but these fractions show only differences in concentration. Particularly, the proteinic fractions 7 and 8 are more concentrated in the extract of juveniles snails tentacles than in the extract of adults snails. This difference in proteic concentration could explain the heterochronic inhibitive action of ocular tentacles extracts on the development of albumen gland of this snail.