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PubMed2002

Enamelin compartmentalization in developing porcine enamel.

The tissue compartmentalization of enamelin-processing products has been investigated in developing pig enamel using a sequential extraction procedure. Only trace amounts of enamelin-processing products were detected in simulated enamel fluid extracts, suggesting that enamelins are not solubilized in the matrix to any great extent. Subsequent phosphate buffer extraction desorbed and extracted several enamelin-processing products that were presumably bound to the mineral phase. A 35-kD processing product dominated the phosphate extract, suggesting that enamelin processing leads to an accumulation of this mineral-bound molecule. Dissociative extraction with urea subsequently extracted the remainder of the enamelin-processing products present. This material was presumably present in the tissue in an aggregated insoluble state. Several enamelin-processing products were only extracted by specific extraction procedures, suggesting that different enamelin-processing products are differentially compartmentalized. This may indicate that specific enamelin-processing products have different functions. In contrast to amelogenins, which are processed in the deeper tissue to generate products having a low affinity for the mineral, enamelin processing appears to produce products (those enamelins desorbed by phosphate buffer) that have a high affinity for the mineral. These products, appearing in the deeper enamel layers, may serve to influence crystal growth kinetics in the absence of any mineral-binding amelogenins.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed1997

Murine gastrulation requires HNF-4 regulated gene expression in the visceral endoderm: tetraploid rescue of Hnf-4(-/-) embryos.

Immediately prior to gastrulation the murine embryo consists of an outer layer of visceral endoderm (VE) and an inner layer of ectoderm. Differentiation and migration of the ectoderm then occurs to produce the three germ layers (ectoderm, embryonic endoderm and mesoderm) from which the fetus is derived. An indication that the VE might have a critical role in this process emerged from studies of Hnf-4(-/-) mouse embryos which fail to undergo normal gastrulation. Since expression of the transcription factor HNF-4 is restricted to the VE during this phase of development, we proposed that HNF-4-regulated gene expression in the VE creates an environment capable of supporting gastrulation. To address this directly we have exploited the versatility of embryonic stem (ES) cells which are amenable to genetic manipulation and can be induced to form VE in vitro. Moreover, embryos derived solely from ES cells can be generated by aggregation with tetraploid morulae. Using Hnf-4(-/-) ES cells we demonstrate that HNF-4 is a key regulator of tissue-specific gene expression in the VE, required for normal expression of secreted factors including alphafetoprotein, apolipoproteins, transthyretin, retinol binding protein, and transferrin. Furthermore, specific complementation of Hnf-4(-/-) embryos with tetraploid-derived Hnf-4(+/+) VE rescues their early developmental arrest, showing conclusively that a functional VE is mandatory for gastrulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Morphological and antigenic relationships between viruses (rotaviruses) from acute gastroenteritis of children, calves, piglets, mice, and foals.

The reovirus-like particles present in the feces of young pigs and foals with acute enteritis and the virus causing epizootic diarrhea of infant mice were found to be indistinguishable morphologically from each other, from the South African SA. 11 and "O" viruses, and from the rotaviruses of children and calves. The inner capsid layer of each of these viruses reacted seriologically with sera of children, calves, mice, piglets, and foals convalescent from infection with their respective rotaviruses. These sera reacted by immunofluorescence with human, bovine, porcine, and murine rotaviruses, SA.11, and "O" viruses in tissue cultures and with human bovine, procine, nad murine viral antigens by complement fixation and gel diffusion. However, the antisera differed in their ability to react serologically with the outer capsid layer of the viruses investigated and in their ability to neutralize tissue culture-adapted calf virus. These two tests may demonstrate strain or host specificity among rotaviruses. Since the porcine, murine, and equine viruses are closely related serologically to and are morphologically identical to the human and bovine viruses, they should be included in the group of viruses for which the term "rotavirus" has been suggested. All known members of this proposed group of viruses share a common antigen, probably situated within the inner capsid layer; thus, any one of the viruses may be used for the preparation of antigen or antibody for diagnostic tests, and this will aid in the diagnosis of virus infection in those species from which a rotavirus has not been cultured.

Animals↗
PubMed1971

Phospholipids in the Uredospores of Uromyces phaseoli: I. Identification and Localization.

Utilizing paper, thin layer and gas chromatography, the phospholipids of dormant and germinating spores have been isolated and identified. The identifications were based upon agreements of retardation factor values between the unknowns and reference compounds and their derivatives. Quantitative analysis of components, color reactions and specific labeling experiments were also used to support certain identifications. At least three, and usually more, criteria were used for each phospholipid that was definitively identified.The major phospholipids of Uromyces phaseoli are phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Diphosphatidylglycerol, or cardiolipin, phosphatidylinositol, and another phosphoinositide were present as minor components. In germinating spores, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidic acid were detected in trace amounts. The presence of these common intermediates in the biosynthesis of phospholipids indicates that phospholipid synthesis is active during the germination process. Except for the absence of phosphatidylglycerol, the types of phospholipids present are similar to the host plant. Germ tube wall preparations were found to contain phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in about the same proportion as that observed in resting spores, while the proportion of diphosphatidylglycerol was about three times higher. An unidentified phosphorous-containing lipid was also a significant component of the total phospholipids extracted from germ tube walls.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Methanol exposure interferes with morphological cell movements in the Drosophila embryo and causes increased apoptosis in the CNS.

Despite the significant contributions of tissue culture and bacterial models to toxicology, whole animal models for developmental neurotoxins are limited in availability and ease of experimentation. Because Drosophila is a well understood model for embryonic development that is highly accessible, we asked whether it could be used to study methanol developmental neurotoxicity. In the presence of 4% methanol, approximately 35% of embryos die and methanol exposure leads to severe CNS defects in about half those embryos, where the longitudinal connectives are dorsally displaced and commissure formation is severely reduced. In addition, a range of morphological defects in other germ layers is seen, and cell movement is adversely affected by methanol exposure. Although we did not find any evidence to suggest that methanol exposure affects the capacity of neuroblasts to divide or induces inappropriate apoptosis in these cells, in the CNS of germ band retracted embryos, the number of apoptotic nuclei is significantly increased in methanol-exposed embryos in comparison to controls, particularly in and adjacent to the ventral midline. Apoptosis contributes significantly to methanol neurotoxicity because embryos lacking the cell death genes grim, hid, and reaper have milder CNS defects resulting from methanol exposure than wild-type embryos. Our data suggest that when neurons and glia are severely adversely affected by methanol exposure, the damaged cells are cleared by apoptosis, leading to embryonic death. Thus, the Drosophila embryo may prove useful in identifying and unraveling mechanistic aspects of developmental neurotoxicity, specifically in relation to methanol toxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Axial, a zebrafish gene expressed along the developing body axis, shows altered expression in cyclops mutant embryos.

Here, we report the cloning of a cDNA from zebrafish encoding a member of the fork head/HNF3 gene family. The gene, which we have called Axial, begins to be expressed just before gastrulation in a narrow region on the dorsal side of the embryo, the fish equivalent of the amphibian organizer. Expression can be detected in the involuted cells comprising the mesendoderm of the developing axis. At the end of gastrulation expression is turned on in the ventral neural plate in cells adjacent to the Axial-expressing mesodermal cells. Thus, Axial appears to be a target of both mesoderm induction and neural induction, leading to expression in cells of all three germ layers along the developing axis. Like the Brachyury gene. Axial is strongly induced by activin A, suggesting a role for endogenous activins in specifying the overlapping domains of expression of these two genes along the axis. Axial-expressing cells in the neuroectoderm include those of the future floor plate and cells of the ventral forebrain. In embryos homozygous for the cyclops mutation, expression is normal in mesendodermal cells but is absent from the ventral neural tube. The primary defects of cyclops mutants (lack of floor plate, deficiencies in the brain and cyclopia) correlate well with the expression domain of the Axial gene in wild-type neuroectoderm. The lack of Axial expression in cyclops neuroectoderm suggests that activation of Axial may be an immediate response of cyclops gene activity. Taken together, our data suggest that Axial plays a crucial role in specification of both the axial mesendoderm and the ventral central nervous system.

Activins↗
PubMed2005

Derivation and induction of the differentiation of animal ES cells as well as human pluripotent stem cells derived from fetal membrane.

We succeeded in the derivation and maintenance of pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells from equine and bovine blastocysts. These cells expressed markers that are characteristics of mouse ES cells, namely, alkaline phosphatase, stage-specific embryonic antigen 1, STAT 3 and Oct 4. We confirmed the pluripotential ability of these cells, which were able to undergo somatic differentiation in vitro to neural progenitors and to endothelial or hematopoietic lineages. We were able to use bovine ES cells as a source of nuclei for nuclear transfer and we generated cloned cattle with a higher frequency of pregnancies to term than has been achieved with somatic cells. On the other hand, we established human fetal membrane derived stem cell lines by the colonial cloning techniques using MEMalpha culture medium containing 10 ng/ml of EGF, 10 ng/ml of LIF and 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). These cells appeared to maintain normal karyotype in vitro and expressed markers characteristics of stem cells. Furthermore, these cells contributed to the formation of chimeric murine embryoid bodies and gave rise to all three germ layers in vitro. Results from animal ES cells and human fetal membrane derived stem cells clearly demonstrate that these cells might be used for providing different types of cells for regenerative medicine as well as used for targeted genetic manipulation of the genome.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Expression of a novel cell surface lipophosphoglycan-like glycoconjugate in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes.

The lipophosphoglycan (LPG)-like glycoconjugate expressed on the cell surface of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes was isolated, purified, and partially characterized. The glycoconjugate migrated as a homogeneous band (42 kDa) on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectral analysis of the native molecule indicated the presence of two major components whose molecular masses were about 18.4 and 22.5 kDa. The LPG could be metabolically labeled with [3H]galactose, [3H]mannose, [14C]glucose, or [3H]palmitic acid. Monosaccharide compositional analysis of the LPG indicated that galactose, glucosamine, and sialic acid predominate over mannose, galactosamine, and inositol. A peptide associated with the LPG molecule contained about 40 amino acid residues per inositol and had threonine as the predominant amino acid. The LPG showed strong binding to Ricinus communis agglutinin-1 and Tritium vulgare wheat germ agglutinin, indicating the presence of terminal beta 1,4-linked galactosyl residue(s) and N-acetylglucosamine, respectively. Lectin binding studies also suggested the presence of a terminal beta-galactose and GlcNAc in the glycan-inositol lipid core of LPG. Virtually all of the sialic acids appeared to be located in the saccharide portion of the molecule. Treatment of the LPG with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C liberated an alkylacylglycerol. Structural analysis of the alkylacylglycerol and its acidic methanolysis products by gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry indicated that the glycerol substituents were primarily the C16 1-alkyl group and C16 2-acyl group. The ratio of inositol to 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acylglycerol was 1:1. Treatment of the glycoconjugate with nitrous acid released a major phospholipid product that migrated close to the phosphatidylinositol standard on thin layer chromatography. This result implied that phosphatidylinositol was glycosidically linked to the nonacetylated amino sugar. Furthermore, the LPG was found to contain phosphate and was labile to mild acid hydrolysis, strongly suggesting that the intact molecule is related to Leishmania LPG. The most striking and unique feature of T. cruzi LPG is the presence of large amounts of glucosamine and sialic acid as well as galactosamine. These results indicate that the glycoconjugate expressed on the T. cruzi cell surface is a new type of LPG-like molecule anchored on the cell surface via an alkylacylphosphatidylinositol.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Establishment and maintenance of human embryonic stem cells on STO, a permanently growing cell line.

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells have been traditionally cultured on primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (PMEFs). However, though STO cells have some advantages over PMEFs and human embryonic fibroblasts (hEFs) as feeder cells, they have never been used as feeder cells to establish hES cell lines. In this study, three hES cell lines (Miz-hES1, Miz-hES2, and Miz-hES3) were established from inner cell masses (ICM), using STO as feeder cells. The three hES cell lines had normal karyotypes and expressed high levels of alkaline phosphatase (AP), cell surface markers (SSEA-3, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81), and transcription factor Oct-4. After culture on STO cells for 2 yr, hES cells maintained the potential to form derivatives of all three embryonic germ layers. Our results show that STO feeder cells have the potential to support the establishment and maintenance of hES cell lines. In addition, our results suggest that laminin may play an important role in maintaining the undifferentiated proliferation of hES cells.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2001

Role of a vitelline layer-associated 350 kDa glycoprotein in controlling species-specific gamete interaction in the sea urchin.

The process of sperm-egg binding is one of the barriers to cross-fertilization between related sea urchin species. A 350 kDa glycoprotein in the egg vitelline layer of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus has been shown to be a sperm-binding protein (SBP). Sulfated O-linked oligosaccharide chains on the 350 kDa glycoprotein, as well as domains of the polypeptide chain, serve as ligands for this binding process. The hypothesis that species-specific sperm-egg binding is attributed to the interaction between the sperm and the 350 kDa glycoprotein was tested using S. purpuratus and S. franciscanus. It was found that both species had a 350 kDa glycoprotein on the egg surface that cross-reacted immunologically using antibodies prepared against a recombinant form of the SBP. Because earlier studies had implicated the carbohydrate chains of the 350 kDa glycoprotein of S purpuratus in sperm binding, differences in carbohydrate chains on the 350 kDa glycoproteins of these species were examined. It was found that among the lectins tested only wheat germ agglutinin and Sambucus nigra agglutinin showed a significant difference in reactivity to the 350 kDa glycoproteins between species. Finally, using a bead-binding assay, it was shown that the isolated 350 kDa glycoproteins exhibited species-specific sperm-binding activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Tracing neural circuits in vivo with Mn-enhanced MRI.

The application of MRI-visible paramagnetic tracers to reveal in vivo connectivity can provide important subject-specific information for multisite, multielectrode intracortical recordings in combined behavioral and physiology experiments. To establish the use of such tracers in the nonhuman primate, we recently compared the specificity of the anterograde tracer Mn2+ with that of wheat-germ-agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) in experiments tracing the neuronal connections of the basal ganglia of the monkey. It was shown that Mn2+ and WGA-HRP yield the same projection patterns and that the former tracer crosses at least two synapses, for it could be found in thalamus following injections into the striatum. Here we provide evidence that Mn2+ reaches the cortex following striatum injections and, thus, is transferred even further than previously shown. In other words, used as a paramagnetic MRI tracer, Mn2+ can permit the visualization of neural networks covering at least four processing stages. Moreover, unilateral intravitreal injections show that Mn2+ is sufficiently synapse specific to permit visualization of the lamina of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). Interestingly, the transfer rate of the substance reflected the well-known axonal size differences between the parvocellular and magnocellular layers of dLGN. After intravitreal injections, we were able to demonstrate transfer of Mn2+ into several subcortical and cortical areas, including the inferotemporal cortex. The specificity of the transsynaptic transfer of manganese that we report here indicates the value of this tracer for chronic studies of development and plasticity, as well as for studies of brain pathology.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Central projections from the skin of the hand in squirrel monkeys.

Central termination patterns of afferents from the hands of squirrel monkeys were studied after subdermal injections of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) or cholera toxin subunit B conjugated to HRP (BHRP). WGA-HRP more effectively labeled axons terminating in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord, while BHRP more effectively labeled axons terminating in the deeper layers. Injections of both tracers, when restricted to parts of glabrous digits, palm, or dorsal hand, revealed somatotopic patterns in the spinal cord and pars rotunda of the cuneate nucleus that were, in some respects, similar and, in other respects, quite different from those previously reported for macaque monkey (Florence et al., J. Comp. Neurol. 286:48-70, '89). As in macaques, injections in digits 1-5 produced a rostrocaudal sequence of foci of terminations in the cervical spinal cord. However, inputs from the palm were located medial to those from the digits, whereas the palm is represented lateral to the digits in macaque monkeys. Since inputs from the palm is also medial in the dorsal horn in cats (Nyberg and Blomqvist, J. Comp. Neurol. 242:28-39, '85), the condition in squirrel monkeys may be similar to the generalized state. In the cuneate nucleus, single injections in the hand produced dense label in the pars rotunda, and sparse label in the rostral and caudal poles. As in macaque monkeys, inputs from specific parts of the hand related to rostrocaudal clusters of cells that are cytochrome oxidase dense. The representation of the digits differed from macaques in that the digits were represented dorsal to the palm, rather that ventral to the palm as in macaques. Again, comparisons with cats suggest that squirrel monkeys have the more generalized pattern. Finally, inputs from the hair, dorsal surfaces of the digits terminated on the same clusters as the inputs from the glabrous, ventral surfaces, apparently overlapping somewhat. The proximity of these terminations from dorsal and ventral surfaces of the digits may be related to observations that cortical representations of the glabrous surfaces of digits become responsive to dorsal surfaces of the same digits when inputs from glabrous skin are chronically deactivated (e.g., Merzenich et al., Neuroscience 3:33-55, '83).

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1985

Variant embryonal carcinoma cells lacking SSEA-1 and Forsmann antigens remain developmentally pluripotent.

Six embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell lines that are resistant to the cytotoxic, galactose-specific lectin abrin were isolated from mutagenized populations of either PSA-1 or F9 cells. The LD10 for each of the variant lines was at least 150-fold greater than that for parental cells. Indirect cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that all of the variant cell lines lacked both Stage Specific Embryonic Antigen-1 (SSEA-1, less than 1% of wild-type levels) and Forsmann antigen (less than 5% of wild-type levels). When abrin-resistant cells were fused to previously isolated SSEA-1-negative cells (M. J. Rosenstraus (1983), Dev. Biol. 99, 318-323) that express Forsmann antigen, the resulting hybrids expressed SSEA-1. This implies the mutation conferring abrin resistance is in a different gene than that defined by the previously isolated mutation. Thus, we have identified two genes that are required for SSEA-1 expression, one of which also appears to be required for Forsmann antigen expression. The F9-derived variants differentiated into visceral-like or parietal-like endoderm when treated with retinoic acid in the absence or presence of 8-bromo-cAMP, respectively. PSA-1-derived variants formed differentiated teratocarcinomas containing derivatives of all three germ layers. Thus the SSEA-1 and Forsmann haptenic determinants are not required for EC cells to differentiate into a broad spectrum of cell types; nor do they appear to be involved in the cell-cell interactions that are postulated to regulate visceral versus parietal endoderm differentiation.

Abrin↗
PubMed2006

Derivation of three clones from human embryonic stem cell lines by FACS sorting and their characterization.

Here we describe the first report of three human embryonic stem cell (hESC) clones, hES 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3, derived from the parent line hES3 by sorting of single-cell preparations by flow cytometry. The viability of single-cell preparations before and after cell sorting remained >98%. The hESC were selected by size gating and forward-angle light scatter and were dispersed directly as single cell/ well into 96-well plates containing human fetal fibroblasts as feeder layers. Single stem cell dispersion into 96-well plates was confirmed by using cells from a hES3 line that constitutively expressed green fluorescence protein (eGFP) under similar conditions of flow cytometry. Three clones were obtained from the parent line hES3 -- hES3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 -- and they have been in continuous culture for more than 1 year. The cloning efficiency was less than <0.5%. These hESC clones show normal stem cell characteristics, such as undifferentiated growth, high nucleocytoplasmic ratio, the same karyotype as that of the parent line (46 XX), stem cell surface markers (i.e., SSEA3, SSEA4, OCT4, TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81), and gene expression for pluripotency (Oct-4 and nanog). They all formed embryoid bodies in suspension cultures, and after seeding in culture plates they showed pluripotency in vitro by forming cell lineages derived from all three germ layers as indicated by expression of the ectodermal marker nestin, the mesodermal marker renin, and the endodermal markers alpha-fetoprotein and GATA6. All clones showed normal expression of alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker of in vitro pluripotency. When hESC clones (1-2 x 10(6) total) were injected into nonobese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD-SCID) mice under the kidney capsule, all formed teratomas within 6-8 weeks. Analysis of the stem cell surface marker TRA-1-160 by flow cytometry showed nonsignificant (p < 0.05) differences between the clones and the parent line. The clones also differed in their expression of genes, with only one, hES 3.2, expressing the endodermal markers, i.e., alpha-fetoprotein and GATA6. The ability to produce clones from a parent hESC line rapidly by FACS sorting will help provide a homogeneous population of cells for achieving uniformed lineage specifications for future transplantation therapies and biomedical research.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

TGF-beta signals and a pattern in Xenopus laevis endodermal development.

We have analyzed two gene products expressed in the early endoderm of Xenopus laevis: Xlhbox-8, a pancreas-specific transcription factor and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP), a marker of small intestinal epithelium. Expression of the pancreas marker relies on cell signaling mediated by both the TGF-beta and FGF classes of secreted peptide growth factors, whereas, expression of the more posterior small intestinal marker does not. Endodermal explants devoid of mesoderm express both markers in a regionalized manner. Cortical rotation is required for the expression of the more anterior marker, Xlhbox-8, but not for the small intestinal marker, IFABP. These findings suggest that endodermal patterning is dependent, in part, on the same events and signals known to play important roles in mesodermal development. Furthermore, inhibition of TGF-beta signaling in the endoderm leads to ectopic expression of both mesodermal and ectodermal markers, suggesting the TGF-beta signaling may play a general role in the segregation of the three embryonic germ layers.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Human cell type diversity, evolution, development, and classification with special reference to cells derived from the neural crest.

Metazoans are composed of a finite number of recognisable cell types. Similar to the relationship between species and ecosystems, knowledge of cell type diversity contributes to studies of complexity and evolution. However, as with other units of evolution, the cell type often resists definition. This review proposes guidelines for characterising cell types and discusses cell homology and the various developmental pathways by which cell types arise, including germ layers, blastemata (secondary development/neurulation), stem cells, and transdifferentiation. An updated list of cell types is presented for a familiar, albeit overlooked model taxon, adult Homo sapiens, with 411 cell types, including 145 types of neurons, recognised. Two methods for organising these cell types are explored. One is the artificial classification technique, clustering cells using commonly accepted criteria of similarity. The second approach, an empirical method modeled after cladistics, resolves the classification in terms of shared features rather than overall similarity. While the results of each scheme differ, both methods address important questions. The artificial classification provides compelling (and independent) support for the neural crest as the fourth germ layer, while the cladistic approach permits the evaluation of cell type evolution. Using the cladistic approach we observe a correlation between the developmental and evolutionary origin of a cell, suggesting that this method is useful for predicting which cell types share common (multipotential) progenitors. Whereas the current effort is restricted by the availability of phenotypic details for most cell types, the present study demonstrates that a comprehensive cladistic classification is practical, attainable, and warranted. The use of cell types and cell type comparative classification schemes has the potential to offer new and alternative models for therapeutic evaluation.

Evolution, Molecular↗
PubMed1986

Immunohistochemical studies on epithelial cells in mixed tumor of the skin.

We performed studies on the lectin-binding pattern in epithelial tumor cell components of 4 cases of mixed tumor of the skin developing on the face in addition to identification of keratin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), compared with those of normal sweat glands. Normal eccrine glands showed specific labelling with Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) and soybean agglutinin (SBA), whereas none of the studied lectins reacted specifically with normal apocrine glands. In mixed tumors the dark cells, which form the inner layer of the tubuloalveolar and ductal structure, showed the presence of keratin and CEA, as well as of specific sugar structures that bind to DBA and SBA. On the other hand the light cells that form the outer layer of the tubular structures or the solid epithelial cell nests gave only a faint to moderate staining of keratin, and no staining of CEA or lectins. It is probable that the inner dark cells differentiate toward the cells that have the same sugar structures on the cell surface as those of the normal eccrine gland cells, while the outer light cells appear to be immature or in a less differentiated state.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Delayed embryonic lethality in mice lacking protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit Calpha.

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a multimeric enzyme, containing a catalytic subunit complexed with two regulatory subunits. The catalytic subunit PP2A C is encoded by two distinct and unlinked genes, termed Calpha and Cbeta. The specific function of these two catalytic subunits is unknown. To address the possible redundancy between PP2A and related phosphatases as well as between Calpha and Cbeta, the Calpha subunit gene was deleted by homologous recombination. Homozygous null mutant mice are embryonically lethal, demonstrating that the Calpha subunit gene is an essential gene. As PP2A exerts a range of cellular functions including cell cycle regulation and cell fate determination, we were surprised to find that these embryos develop normally until postimplantation, around embryonic day 5.5/6.0. While no Calpha protein is expressed, we find comparable expression levels of PP2A C at a time when the embryo is degenerating. Despite a 97% amino acid identity, Cbeta cannot completely compensate for the absence of Calpha. Degenerated embryos can be recovered even at embryonic day 13.5, indicating that although embryonic tissue is still capable of proliferating, normal differentiation is significantly impaired. While the primary germ layers ectoderm and endoderm are formed, mesoderm is not formed in degenerating embryos.

Animals↗