alpha-Difluoromethylornithine induces differentiation of a human embryonal carcinoma cell line in vitro. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1986 Oct 15;140(1):66-73
Date
10/15/1986Pubmed ID
3096321DOI
10.1016/0006-291x(86)91058-2Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0022968321 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 5 CitationsAbstract
Human embryonal carcinoma cells could serve as a useful model system for analysis of early human development. A limited number of human embryonal carcinoma cell lines have been generated from in vivo tumors. We report here that alpha-difluoromethylornithine, a specific enzyme-activated inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase activity, can induce differentiation in human embryonal carcinoma cells. The differentiated phenotype could be distinguished from undifferentiated cells by altered cellular morphology, biochemical and cell surface antigenic properties. These results suggest that alterations in the intracellular levels of polyamines may play a role in human embryonal carcinoma cell differentiation, and possibly human embryogenesis.
Author List
Uhl L, Kelly M, Schindler JMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
ActinsCell Differentiation
Cell Line
Eflornithine
Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells
Humans
Neoplastic Stem Cells
Polyamines
Tretinoin