Abstract
THE proliferation of normal cells stops when the cultures have formed confluent monolayers; this process is termed density-dependent inhibition of growth (DDI). The cells can be released from DDI by proteolytic enzymes and other substances acting on the cell surface1, indicating that the cell surface may be important in regulating cell proliferation. Sialic acid residues also may be important in this regulation. Growing and virus-transformed cells contain less sialic acid in glycolipids2 and possibly also in glycoproteins3 than normal resting cells. We report direct evidence that the control of cell growth is related to sialic acid residues on the cell surface. Small concentrations of neuraminidase initiate proliferation in stationary cell cultures, and cause an early increase in sugar uptake.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
We are sorry, but there is no personal subscription option available for your country.
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
References
Burger, M. M., Curr. Top. Cell. Reg., 3, 135 (1971).
Hakomori, S., Saito, T., and Vogt, P. K., Virology, 44, 609 (1971).
Wu, H. C., Meezan, E., Black, P. H., and Robbins, P. W., Biochemistry, 8, 2509 (1969).
Vaheri, A., and Hanafusa, H., Cancer Res., 31, 2032 (1971).
Warren, L., J. Biol. Chem., 234, 1971 (1959).
Hummel, B. C. W., Canad. J. Biochem. Physiol., 37, 1393 (1959).
Hatanaka, M., Augl, C., and Gilden, R. V., Biol. Chem., 25, 714 (1970).
Sefton, B. M., and Rubin, H., Proc. US Nat. Acad. Sci., 68, 3154 (1971).
Martin, G. S., Venuta, S., Weber, M., and Rubin, H., Proc. US Nat. Acad. Sci., 68, 2739 (1971).
Kawai, S., and Hanafusa, H., Virology, 46, 470 (1971).
Sheppard, J. R., Nature New Biology, 236, 14 (1972).
Illiano, G., and Cuatrecasas, P., Science, 175, 906 (1972).
Cuatrecasas, P., J. Biol. Chem., 246, 6522 (1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
VAHERI, A., RUOSLAHTI, E. & NORDLING, S. Neuraminidase stimulates Division and Sugar Uptake in Density-inhibited Cell Cultures. Nature New Biology 238, 211–212 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio238211a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio238211a0
This article is cited by
-
Cell surface and cell division
Cell Biophysics (1982)
-
Role of sialic acid in the maintenance of cell surface rigidity
Experientia (1975)
-
Dissociation of increased hexose transport from initiation of fibroblast proliferation
Nature (1974)
-
Potentiation of phytomitogens action by neuraminidase and basic polypeptides
Nature (1974)
-
Cyclic AMP and Cyclic GMP Enhance Growth of Chick Embryo Fibroblasts
Nature New Biology (1973)