Abstract
TRANSMISSION of morphogenetic signals between embryonic cells is a special form of intercellular communication which may involve diffusible signal substances1,2 or intercellular contacts3,4. We have previously presented evidence that the induction of metanephric kidney tubules is dependent on cell contacts between the interacting tissues rather than on diffusible signals6,7. Several embryonic and neoplastic tissues possess an inductive effect when tested against metanephric mesenchyme8–11. If different inductors release an extracellular, transmissible signal substance, the restriction of induction by interposed filters with varying pore sizes should be independent of the type of inductor tissue, assuming that there is no major difference in size between signal substances. If cell contacts and thus ingrowth of cytoplasmic processes into the filter are required, however, there may be differences between the transfilter inductive capacity of various inductor tissues depending on their ability to send cytoplasmic processes through the filter. That is now shown to be the case, in a comparison of the spinal cord and the mesenchyme of embryonic salivary gland as inducers of metanephric mesenchyme.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Holtfreter, J., Expl Cell Res., 3, 188–209 (1955).
Bautzmann, H., Holtfreter, J., Spemann, H., and Mangold, O., Naturwissenschaften, 20, 971–974 (1932).
Tyler, A., Growth, 10, 7–19 (1946).
Weiss, P., Yale J. biol. Med., 19, 235–278 (1947).
Grobstein, C., Expl Cell Res., 13, 575–587 (1957).
Wartiovaara, J., Nordling, S., Lehtonen, E., and Saxén, L., J. Embryol. exp. Morph., 31, 667–682 (1974).
Nordling, S., Miettinen, H., Wartiovaara, J., and Saxén, L., J. Embryol. exp. Morph., 26, 231–252 (1971).
Grobstein, C., Science, 118, 52–55 (1953).
Lombard, M.-N., and Grobstein, C., Devl Biol., 19, 41–51 (1969).
Unsworth, B., and Grobstein, C., Devl Biol., 21, 547–556 (1970).
Auerbach, R., Devl Biol., 28, 304–309 (1972).
Saxén, L., and Saksela, E., Expl Cell Res., 66, 369–377 (1971).
Anderson, T. F., Trans. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 13, 130–134 (1951).
Lehtonen, E., Wartiovaara, J., Nordling, S., and Saxén, L., J. Embryol. exp. Morph., 33, 187–203 (1975).
Meier, S., and Hay, E. D., in Extracellular Matrix Influences on Gene Expression (edit. by Slavkin, H. C. and Greulich, R. C.), 185–196 (Academic, New York, 1975).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SAXEN, L., LEHTONEN, E., KARKINEN-JÄÄSKELÄINEN, M. et al. Are morphogenetic tissue interactions mediated by transmissible signal substances or through cell contacts?. Nature 259, 662–663 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/259662a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/259662a0
This article is cited by
-
Immunolocalization of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in the developing root and supporting structures of the murine tooth
Journal of Molecular Histology (2005)
-
The pattern of protein and glycoprotein synthesis in presumptive lens and non-lens ectoderm of the chicken embryo
Roux's Archives of Developmental Biology (1991)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
