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Identification of a distinct phase during melanogenesis that is sensitive to extracellular pH and ionic strength
Author(s) -
Laskin Jeffrey D.,
Mufson R. Allan,
Weinstein I. Bernard,
Engelhardt Dean L.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1041030312
Subject(s) - ionic strength , extracellular , sodium , ionic bonding , biophysics , chemistry , salt (chemistry) , phase (matter) , biochemistry , biology , ion , aqueous solution , organic chemistry
The cell line B16/C3 will undergo melanogenesis at a specific time after plating. We have found that this time can be modulated by varying the pH of the culture medium. At high pH levels (8.2–8.6) the onset of melanogenesis occurs in 3 or 4 days, while at lower pH (6.7–7.2) it occurs in 7 or 8 days. Furthermore, the time of onset is also sensitive to the extracellular ionic strength. The addition of sodium lactate, sodium chloride, or any other salt tested delays or blocks completely the onset of melanogenesis. These effects are not simply consequence of growth inhibition, nor can they be correlated with patterns of lactate accumulation. These cells are sensitive to pH or ionic strength after entering the stationary phase just prior to the time of onset of melanogenesis. The existence of a specific pH‐and ionic‐strength‐sensitive phase may provide an important clue to the events responsbile for differentiation in this system.