title: Reversible cell scattering in developing sponges induced by penicillamine.
abstract: The development and substratum adhesion of fresh-water sponges were reversibly altered by penicillamine concentrations of 5 x 10(-3) M to 10(-2) M. Development was delayed and most of the resulting individuals were unable to attach to a substratum. In fixed sponges, the classical lacunose structure was replaced by a dense cellular tissue, imperfectly limited by a discontinuous epithelium. Numerous scattered cells (epithelial and amoeboid) were visible around each sponge. They were either flattened against the glass or in migration. These modifications are interpreted as the result of a penicillamine-induced abnormal synthesis of the collagenous basal layer which normally attaches the whole sponge to its substratum. Due to the loose sponge cell junctions, basal and internal cells could then disaggregate and attach individually to the substratum. Penicillamine treatment could thus be a suitable means of obtaining normal isolated sponge cells and even sponge cell cultures, since classical dissociation of sponge tissue with EDTA gives only rounded cells that are unable to migrate.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011161:Porifera / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D010396:Penicillamine