ULTRASTRUCTURAL LOCALIZATION OF MEMBRANE PHOSPHATASES IN TERATOCARCINOMA AND EARLY EMBRYOS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 87  (2) , 297-310
Abstract
Ectodermal cells of 2 and 3 germ layer thick mouse egg cylinders are considered to be the progenitors of embryonal carcinoma cells in embryo derived teratocarcinomas. In an attempt to find differences between the tumor cells and equivalent embryonic cells, the EM cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase, 5''-nucleotidase and Mg2+-activated ATPase was studied in embryo derived teratocarcinomas and mouse egg cylinders. Alkaline phosphatase was detected in embryonic and tumor cells, but its activity appeared more intense in the tumor cells. No ATPase was demonstrated in embryonic ectodermal cells of 6 day old embryos and only in occasional cells of 7 and 8 day old embryos. No 5''-nucleotidase activity could be demonstrated in 6-8 day egg cylinders. There was marked ATPase and 5''-nucleotidase activity in the membranes of embryonal carcinoma cells. These data show some differences in the plasma membrane between embryonal carcinoma cells and equivalent embryonic cells. The potential significance of these differences is discussed with regards to transformation of embryonic cells into tumor cells.

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