The induction of differentiation in teratocarcinoma stem cells by retinoic acid. 1978

S Strickland, and V Mahdavi

Embryonal carcinoma cells, the stem cells of teratocarcinomas, usually undergo extensive differentiation in vivo and in vitro to a wide variety of cell types. There exist, however, several embryonal carcinoma cell lines that have almost completely lost the capacity to differentiate, so that the cells are propagated primarily as the stem cells. Using one such cell line, F9, we have found that retinoic acid at concentrations as low as 10(-9) M induces multiple phenotypic changes in the cultures in vitro. These changes include morphological alteration at the resolution of the light microscope, elevated levels of plasminogen activator production, sensitivity to cyclic AMP compounds and increased synthesis of collagen-like proteins. The nature of these changes, as well as their independence of the continued presence of retinoic acid, are consistent with the proposition that retinoic acid induces differentiation of embryonal carcinoma cells into endoderm.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009374 Neoplasms, Experimental Experimentally induced new abnormal growth of TISSUES in animals to provide models for studying human neoplasms. Experimental Neoplasms,Experimental Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Experimental
D010960 Plasminogen Activators A heterogeneous group of proteolytic enzymes that convert PLASMINOGEN to FIBRINOLYSIN. They are concentrated in the lysosomes of most cells and in the vascular endothelium, particularly in the vessels of the microcirculation. Extrinsic Plasminogen Activators,Plasminogen Activator,Uterine-Tissue Plasminogen Activator,Uterine Tissue Plasminogen Activator
D002454 Cell Differentiation Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function that leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs. Differentiation, Cell,Cell Differentiations,Differentiations, Cell
D002460 Cell Line Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely. Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D003094 Collagen A polypeptide substance comprising about one third of the total protein in mammalian organisms. It is the main constituent of SKIN; CONNECTIVE TISSUE; and the organic substance of bones (BONE AND BONES) and teeth (TOOTH). Avicon,Avitene,Collagen Felt,Collagen Fleece,Collagenfleece,Collastat,Dermodress,Microfibril Collagen Hemostat,Pangen,Zyderm,alpha-Collagen,Collagen Hemostat, Microfibril,alpha Collagen
D003994 Bucladesine A cyclic nucleotide derivative that mimics the action of endogenous CYCLIC AMP and is capable of permeating the cell membrane. It has vasodilator properties and is used as a cardiac stimulant. (From Merck Index, 11th ed) Dibutyryl Adenosine-3',5'-Monophosphate,Dibutyryl Cyclic AMP,(But)(2) cAMP,Bucladesine, Barium (1:1) Salt,Bucladesine, Disodium Salt,Bucladesine, Monosodium Salt,Bucladesine, Sodium Salt,DBcAMP,Dibutyryl Adenosine 3,5 Monophosphate,N',O'-Dibutyryl-cAMP,N(6),0(2')-Dibutyryl Cyclic AMP,AMP, Dibutyryl Cyclic,Adenosine-3',5'-Monophosphate, Dibutyryl,Cyclic AMP, Dibutyryl,Dibutyryl Adenosine 3',5' Monophosphate,Disodium Salt Bucladesine,Monosodium Salt Bucladesine,N',O' Dibutyryl cAMP,Sodium Salt Bucladesine
D004707 Endoderm The inner of the three germ layers of an embryo. Definitive Endoderm,Definitive Endoderms,Endoderm, Definitive,Endoderms
D004790 Enzyme Induction An increase in the rate of synthesis of an enzyme due to the presence of an inducer which acts to derepress the gene responsible for enzyme synthesis. Induction, Enzyme
D000118 Acetylglucosaminidase A beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of terminal, non-reducing 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-glucose residues in chitobiose and higher analogs as well as in glycoproteins. Has been used widely in structural studies on bacterial cell walls and in the study of diseases such as MUCOLIPIDOSIS and various inflammatory disorders of muscle and connective tissue. N-Acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase,Chitobiase,N,N-Diacetylchitobiase,N-Ac-beta-Glucosaminidase,NAGase,beta-D-Acetamido-2-Deoxyglucosidase,beta-D-N-acetylglucosaminidase,beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase,N Ac beta Glucosaminidase,N Acetyl beta D glucosaminidase,N,N Diacetylchitobiase,beta D Acetamido 2 Deoxyglucosidase,beta D N acetylglucosaminidase,beta N Acetylglucosaminidase
D000469 Alkaline Phosphatase An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an orthophosphoric monoester and water to an alcohol and orthophosphate. EC 3.1.3.1.

Related Publications

S Strickland, and V Mahdavi
February 1991, International journal of cancer,
S Strickland, and V Mahdavi
October 1984, Developmental biology,
S Strickland, and V Mahdavi
January 1994, Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!