The effect of hypergravity on the spicule formation in the sea urchin development

In sea urchin embryo, the skeletogenic cells are called primary meshenchymen cells derived from micromeres at 16-cell stage. We reported a promotive effect of hypergravity in the low serum concentration culture of the skeletogenic cells. In this condition, cultured skeletogenic cells were so sensitive that they showed a clear difference of skeletogenesis also for the different substrate of culture plate. The decrease of spicule number by the inhibitor of Ca(2+)-channel is recovered under hypergravity condition. The culture in low Ca(2+) concentration also decreased the number of formed spicule and the number was recovered under hypergravity, too. These results show the possibility that the Ca(2+) uptake is one of a candidate process that is affected by hypergravity condition. The spicule also contains spicule matrix proteins. The expression of their mRNA under hypergravity was examined and the level was not different from control condition.
資料番号: AA0063349095