Biomaterial Database

Compaction of the mouse embryo: an analysis of its components. 1982

H P Pratt, and C A Ziomek, and W J Reeve, and M H Johnson

A variety of Agents (viz : cytochalasin D, colcemid, cytochalasin D+ colcemid, Ca2+-free medium, 7-ketocholesterol, cholesterol, concanavalin A, anti-embryonal carcinoma antiserum and tunicamycin) which modify the cell membrane and/or cytoskeleton were used to investigate the molecular and cellular basis of the intercellular and intracellular components of compaction and analyse the relationships between them. It was found that the individual components could be selectively dissociated from one another. Cell flattening and close intercellular apposition were the most sensitive features and affected by the majority of agents. Tight junctions did not form in the absence of intercellular apposition, however an apparently normal degree of intercellular apposition did not necessarily lead to the assembly of these junctions. Polarization of individual blastomeres, as assessed by the reorganization of the cell surface, was the component most resistant to experimental intervention since it occurred in the presence of all agents used, though it was modified by some of them. The result are discussed in terms of the molecular and cellular events underlying polarization, intercellular apposition and tight junction formation as well as the significance of these events for normal blastocyst formation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007106	Immune Sera	Serum that contains antibodies. It is obtained from an animal that has been immunized either by ANTIGEN injection or infection with microorganisms containing the antigen.	Antisera,Immune Serums,Sera, Immune,Serums, Immune
D007365	Intercellular Junctions	Direct contact of a cell with a neighboring cell. Most such junctions are too small to be resolved by light microscopy, but they can be visualized by conventional or freeze-fracture electron microscopy, both of which show that the interacting CELL MEMBRANE and often the underlying CYTOPLASM and the intervening EXTRACELLULAR SPACE are highly specialized in these regions. (From Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2d ed, p792)	Cell Junctions,Cell Junction,Intercellular Junction,Junction, Cell,Junction, Intercellular,Junctions, Cell,Junctions, Intercellular
D007653	Ketocholesterols	Cholesterol substituted in any position by a keto moiety. The 7-keto isomer inhibits cholesterol uptake in the coronary arteries and aorta by blocking 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity.	Oxocholesterols
D009028	Morula	An early embryo that is a compact mass of about 16 BLASTOMERES. It resembles a cluster of mulberries with two types of cells, outer cells and inner cells. Morula is the stage before BLASTULA in non-mammalian animals or a BLASTOCYST in mammals.	Morulas
D001755	Blastocyst	A post-MORULA preimplantation mammalian embryo that develops from a 32-cell stage into a fluid-filled hollow ball of over a hundred cells. A blastocyst has two distinctive tissues. The outer layer of trophoblasts gives rise to extra-embryonic tissues. The inner cell mass gives rise to the embryonic disc and eventual embryo proper.	Embryo, Preimplantation,Blastocysts,Embryos, Preimplantation,Preimplantation Embryo,Preimplantation Embryos
D001757	Blastomeres	Undifferentiated cells resulting from cleavage of a fertilized egg (ZYGOTE). Inside the intact ZONA PELLUCIDA, each cleavage yields two blastomeres of about half size of the parent cell. Up to the 8-cell stage, all of the blastomeres are totipotent. The 16-cell MORULA contains outer cells and inner cells.	Blastocytes,Blastocyte,Blastomere
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002784	Cholesterol	The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.	Epicholesterol
D003208	Concanavalin A	A MANNOSE/GLUCOSE binding lectin isolated from the jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis). It is a potent mitogen used to stimulate cell proliferation in lymphocytes, primarily T-lymphocyte, cultures.
D003572	Cytochalasins	11- to 14-membered macrocyclic lactones with a fused isoindolone. Members with INDOLES attached at the C10 position are called chaetoglobosins. They are produced by various fungi. Some members interact with ACTIN and inhibit CYTOKINESIS.