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Published on: January 20, 2013
Cell surface changes of the presumptive ectoderm following neural-inducing treatment by concanavalin A
Kiyoko Yamazaki Yamamoto, Ruby Ozawa, Kenzo Takata1
1Radioisotope Center, Nagoya University, 464, Nagoya, Japan.
Abstract:
Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed that Concanavalin A (ConA) induces characteristic changes of the cell surface and the cell architecture of the presumptive ectoderm associated with differentiation into neural tissues. In Con A-treated cells, the filopodia with which cells were connected to each other disappeared from the interior (blastocoelic) surface and the cellular adhesivity decreased significantly. Thereafter, the cells underwent from those of the control explants. After cultivation for 60 h, a certain pattern of cell arrangement, which resembled the architecture of neural tissues, was observed among randomly arranged cells in the explants treated with Con A. The morphological changes specifically observed in Con A-treated explants were different from those found in explants treated with succinyl Con A (S-Con A) orDolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), which is unable to induce formation of the neural tissues. The molecular organization of the plasma membrane appears to be important in the mechanism of neural induction.
Insights
Concanavalin A (ConA) alters cell surface and architecture, promoting neural tissue differentiation. These ConA-induced changes in cell arrangement are crucial for neural induction.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cell biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Cell-cell interactions and surface molecule organization are critical for tissue development.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of neural induction is a fundamental challenge in developmental biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Concanavalin A (ConA) in inducing changes in presumptive ectoderm.
- To elucidate the relationship between cell surface modifications and neural tissue differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe morphological changes in explants.
- Explants were treated with Concanavalin A (ConA), succinyl Con A (S-ConA), or Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA).
- Cellular adhesivity and arrangement were analyzed after 60 hours of cultivation.
Main Results:
- Concanavalin A (ConA) treatment led to the disappearance of filopodia and decreased cellular adhesivity.
- ConA-induced explants exhibited a cell arrangement pattern resembling neural tissue architecture.
- Morphological changes were specific to ConA and distinct from S-ConA or DBA treatments.
Conclusions:
- Concanavalin A (ConA) plays a significant role in inducing neural differentiation through cell surface and architectural modifications.
- The molecular organization of the plasma membrane is important for the mechanism of neural induction.
- Specific lectin interactions can trigger developmental pathways, highlighting the role of cell surface recognition in tissue formation.
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