title: Lymphoblastoid cell variant in contact-mediated cell spreading.
abstract: We have isolated a clone of human lymphoblastoid cells that is capable of undergoing the phenomenon of contact-mediated cell spreading in vitro. We have detected this behavior when using both transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential interference contrast microscopy. Upon cell-cell contact, cells become loosely adherent and then begin to extend cellular processes that contact other cells and the substrate. We have also selected a variant clone that has lost the capability for cell spreading. The adhesions-defective variant becomes adhesion-positive and appears morphologically identical with the adhesive cells only in response to specific amino sugars. In the presence of those sugars the adhesion response is correlated with a shift in the apparent molecular weight of an iodinatable component. We propose that contact-mediated cell spreading in lymphoblastoid cells is mediated by a non-transferable cell surface-associated glycoconjugate. The synthesis of that glycoconjugate is defective in the non-adhesive clone, unless the cells are grown in glucosamine or mannosamine.
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002450:Cell Communication; D002460:Cell Line; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009005:Monosaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009154:Mutation
chemical_list: D009005:Monosaccharides; D005944:Glucosamine