Date of Award

1979

Embargo Period

8-1-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Anatomy

College

College of Graduate Studies

First Advisor

Timothy Fitzharris

Abstract

Regenerating sabellid polychaetes were histochemically studied with regard to the synthesis and deposition of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and collagen. Both of these types of macromolecules are known to be actively involved in cell migrations and differentiations of several vertebrate systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not these extracellular materials might be similarly involved in invertebrate systems. Results demonstrate for the first time that these same extracellular materials, GAG and collagen, actively participate during invertebrate development. Production of hyaluronic acid is shown to accompany mesenchymal migration and blastema formation. Deposition of sulfated GAG collagen in the form of an epithelial basal lamina and cartilaginous matrix mark differentiation of epithelial and mesenchymal cell types. The effects on normal sabellid development of 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN), an inhibitor of GAG synthesis, and α,α’-dipyridyl and b-aminopropionitrile (βAPN), inhibitors of collagen synthesis, were investigated. α,α’-Dipyridyl at 10(-4)M and β-APN at 10(-3)M were effective at stopping regeneration at all stages. 6-AN at 10(-5)M was effective at blocking formation of regenerate blastemas, however no effect was observed after completion of blastema formation. Possible mechanisms for the developmental role of these extracellular macromolecules are also discussed.

Rights

All rights reserved. Copyright is held by the author.

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