Amine oxidases, programmed cell death, and tissue renewal
G B Pierce1, R A Gramzinski, R E Parchment
1Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver 80262.
Abstract:
Embryonal carcinoma cells, with embryonic (ECaE) or trophectodermal (ECaT) potential, have been used in a colony assay to determine regulatory mechanisms in the blastocyst. The mechanism that regulates ECaE and results in chimera formation is dependent upon a soluble factor in blastocoele fluid and contact with trophectoderm. Two mechanisms contribute to the regulation of ECaT: one involves a factor in blastocoele fluid and the other contact with either trophectoderm or inner cell mass which results in differentiation of the cells into trophectoderm, and the other involves the killing of at least 40% of the cells by blastocoele fluid alone. This cytotoxic activity probably causes the programmed cell death that occurs in the inner cell mass during blastulation as it loses the potential to differentiate into trophectoderm. A toxic activity similar to that of normal blastocysts has been obtained from embryoid bodies. This activity is caused by amine oxidase-dependent catabolism of polyamines, and it is postulated that programmed cell death in the embryo and chalone activity in the adult may have similar mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Cell Death
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Apoptosis
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Autophagic Cell Death
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Necrosis
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy


