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- Title
Stimulation of Cell Locomotion and Pseudopod Formation by Heparin.
- Authors
BELL, L. G. E.; JEON, K. W.
- Abstract
IT has been suggested1,2 that mucopolysaccharides play a part in cell surface extension and mobility. During an investigation of pseudopod formation and chemotaxis in Amoeba proteus3 it has been found that heparin (U.S.P., Light's Chemical Co.) can stimulate the formation of pseudopods when a fine pipette containing 3 × 10−5 molar heparin, dialysed against Chalkley's medium, is held near an amœba (Fig. 1 A-E). Calculation shows that under these conditions the initiating concentration when the amœba is 50µ away from the pipette is approximately 5 × 10−7 molar. When the pipette contains 10−4 molar heparin active pseudopods are quickly inhibited and the amoœba reverses away from the pipette. Pipettes containing Chalkley's medium, agar, or various concentrations of sucrose do not stimulate or inhibit pseudopod formation. There is a mechanical inhibitory effect if fluid is passing rapidly out of the pipette, but this is avoided by using fine pipettes, 10-15µ in diameter, or by making up the solutions in 0.5 per cent agar jelly. Glass pipettes held within 1 or 2µ of an amœba will often induce blebs but these do not develop into pseudopods. The stimulation of pseudopods by heparin is effective at pipette to amœba distances of the order of 50µ. The material in the pipette reaches the amœba by diffusion and not by ejection.
- Publication
Nature, 1962, Vol 195, Issue 4839, p400
- ISSN
0028-0836
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/195400b0