Transient cytoplasmic bridges among the cells of developing cerebellum: a possible mode of induction for cell differentiation.
In the developing cerebellum of neonate rats, membrane fusions and cytoplasmic bridges were observed between the pre-existing Purkinje cells and the migratory and differentiating granule cells. These ultrastructural specializations of the apposing membranes were seen to be transient in nature, and represented a developmental phenomenon. On the basis of literature available on this type of direct cell-to-cell interaction it is suggested that such transient cytoplasmic bridges may provide induction for differentiation from the pre-existing Purkinje cells to the undifferentiated cells.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats