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Epithelial scatter factor and development of the chick embryonic axis
C D Stern1, G W Ireland, S E Herrick
1Department of Human Anatomy, Oxford, UK.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|December 1, 1990
Summary
Scatter factor, a protein promoting cell movement and separation in vitro, was applied to chick embryos. It induced the formation of primitive streak and neural plate-like structures, suggesting a role in embryonic development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Scatter factor (SF) is a protein secreted by embryonic fibroblasts.
- SF increases epithelial cell motility, cell junction breakdown, and scattering in vitro.
- Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation during gastrulation resembles SF's effects on cultured cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of scatter factor in embryonic development.
- To determine if scatter factor has primitive streak and/or neural-inducing activity in chick embryos.
Main Methods:
- Scatter factor was applied locally to chick embryos.
- Scatter factor-secreting cell lines and inert carriers were used for local application.
- Observed the effects on embryonic axial structure formation.
Main Results:
- Local application of scatter factor generated supernumerary axial structures.
- These structures resembled primitive streak and/or neural plate.
- Scatter factor demonstrated localized inductive activity in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Scatter factor may possess primitive streak-inducing activity in chick embryos.
- Scatter factor may possess neural-inducing activity in chick embryos.
- SF's in vivo activity supports its potential role in embryonic morphogenesis.