Exogenous spermidine modulates glycosaminoglycan accumulation and epithelial differentiation in chick embryonic skin.
We have previously shown that feather formation in chick embryonic skin depends on accumulation of sulphated glycosaminoglycans in the underlying mesenchyme, and that addition of spermidine to chick embryo fibroblasts increases the extracellular sulphated glycosaminoglycans. In the present work, using histological, histochemical and biochemical procedures, we have investigated the effects on glycosaminoglycan accumulation and on epithelial differentiation of adding spermidine and bis-cyclohexylammonium sulphate, a spermidine inhibitor, to embryonic chick skin cultures. Our results demonstrate that spermidine induces an accumulation of sulphated glycosaminoglycan and an increase in feather formation, suggesting that the morphogenetic effect of spermidine may be dependent on specific glycosaminoglycan accumulation.
Dipartimento di Morfologia ed Embriologia, University, Ferrara, Italy. pvt@dns.unife.it
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Stabellini
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Pellati
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Tosi
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Caruso
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Carinci
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003514:Cyclohexylamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000196:embryology; D005241:Feathers / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology*; D013095:Spermidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011436:Spermidine Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D003514:Cyclohexylamines; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C076758:bis(cyclohexylammonium)sulfate; D011436:Spermidine Synthase; D013095:Spermidine