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Cellular Heterogeneity in the Late‐onset Form of Hereditary Melanomas in the Xiphophorus Fish Hybrids
Author(s) -
OZATO KENJIRO,
WAKAMATSU YUKO
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
development, growth and differentiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.864
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1440-169X
pISSN - 0012-1592
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-169x.1981.00273.x
Subject(s) - xiphophorus , melanoma , biology , genetic heterogeneity , phenotype , cell , hybrid , fish <actinopterygii> , melanin , genetics , cancer research , gene , botany , fishery
The late‐onset form of melanomas occurring in the Xiphophorus , fish hybrids carrying a macro‐melanophore gene Sp was investigated for its cellular heterogeneity. The melanoma tissues were dissociated enzymatically and cultured for a short term. The cultured melanoma cells were characterized according to cell size, cell shape, pigmentation, and response to epinephrine. The melanoma cells were considerably heterogeneous in these phenotypic traits. Various combinations of these heterogeneous cells gave a great heterogeneity to individual melanomas. The stability of the phenotypic traits was followed during the course of tumor growth. Cell size and cell shape were stable, but pigmentation and response to epinephrine varied. The results are discussed in relation to cell differentiation and tumor progression.