title: Factors influencing perpendicular elongation of embryonic frog muscle cells in a small applied electric field.
abstract: The mechanism controlling the perpendicular elongation of embryonic muscle cells exposed to a small applied electric field has been studied using a pharmacological approach. Inhibition of the inositol phosphate second messenger system, of calcium entry and of microfilament polymerisation all prevented perpendicular elongation. A model involving strengthened adhesion asymmetrically along the cathodal-facing side of round myoblasts and incorporating the above requirements is proposed to explain electric field-induced perpendicular differentiation. Some asymmetry of organelles is described also, with ribosomes, yolk granules and actin filaments all predominantly found on the anodal side of myoblasts.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, Marischal College, University of Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: McCaig
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dover
mesh_terms: D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D003208:Concanavalin A; D046508:Culture Techniques; D015638:Cytochalasin D; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009132:Muscles / Q000196:embryology*; D009355:Neomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000187:drug effects; D014981:Xenopus / Q000196:embryology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D005839:Gentamicins; D003208:Concanavalin A; D015638:Cytochalasin D; D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; D009355:Neomycin; D002118:Calcium