Junctions between cancer cells in culture: ultrastructure and permeability

Science. 1971 Nov 12;174(4010):717-9. doi: 10.1126/science.174.4010.717.

Abstract

Cell junctions between Novikoff hepatoma cells (N1S1-67) growing as small clumps or chains in suspension culture have been studied with ultrastructural, electrophysiological, and dye-injection techniques. Cells within clumps are commonly electrically coupled and can exchange dyes with a molecular weight of 332 to 500. Gap junctions and intermediate junctions are present, whereas true tight junctions and desmosomes are absent or very rare. This system should provide a useful model for studying the properties of "communicating" junctions.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
  • Cell Aggregation
  • Cell Membrane Permeability*
  • Cells, Cultured* / cytology
  • Cells, Cultured* / physiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Neoplasms, Experimental*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes