title: Suppression of mitotic activity and synchronization of cell development in olfactory epithelium.
abstract: Prolonged continuous application of hydroxyurea to frog olfactory epithelium suppresses mitotic activity in this tissue without side effects. After ZnSO4-induced coagulation necrosis of the olfactory epithelium, application of hydroxyurea prevents the usual epithelial regeneration. A method for obtaining frog olfactory epithelium with a developmentally synchronized neuronal population is introduced. The epithelium is first ablated by perfusion of the nasal cavity with ZnSO4. Then the epithelium is allowed to regenerate for 6 days, after which continuous introduction into the nasal cavity of hydroxyurea suppresses mitotic activity and thus the generation of new cells in the tissue. Cells formed during the 6 days prior to hydroxyurea treatment continue to develop. We found that the olfactory receptor cells are generated beginning on the 6th day after ablation, and so the epithelia contain a highly synchronized population of neurons all generated within about 24 h.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000494:pharmacology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008938:Mitosis; D008954:Models, Biological; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D011894:Rana pipiens; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D013431:Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology; D019287:Zinc Sulfate
chemical_list: D013431:Sulfates; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D015032:Zinc; D006918:Hydroxyurea