THE SURFACE FEATURES OF DROSOPHILA EMBRYONIC CELL LINES

Schneider's cell lines 1, 2 and 3 derived from embryonic stages of Drosophila melanogaster were examined by scanning electron microscopy, histochemical staining procedures, and SDS polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. Although the three lines showed some similarities when compared by each of these methods, differences between the lines were observed as well. The surface features of the cells in each line showed morphologic as well as age dependent distinctions when examined in the scanning electron microscope. The intracellular distribution and amount of periodic acid-Schiff positive (PAS+), α-amylase sensitive material was also distinct for each of the lines. Approximately one-third of line 1 cells contained PAS+ hyaluronidase-sensitive material localized within a cytoplasmic vesicle whereas less than 1% of the cells of lines 2 and 3 contained such material. SDS polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis revealed PAS+ material in a soluble fraction of line 2 cells and in the 100,000 μ g pellet of line 3 cells, but no PAS+ bands in similar fractions of line 1 cells were detected.