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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #76421
Title: DIFFERENTIATION OF INSECT GUT FROM STEM CELLS

Author
item HAKIM, RAZIEL - HOWARD UNIVERSITY
item LOEB, MARCIA - 1275-21-00

Submitted to: In Vitro Cellular And Developmental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The insect midgut epithelium develops from stem cells. We have shown that all of the major processes of differentiation and pattern formation in the midgut epithelium of Manduca sexta occur in vitro. Stem cells collected from pharate fourth instars proliferate and differentiate in vitro to columnar, goblet, and neurosecretory cells. Intermediates in cell differentiation are identifiable in the cultures. In older cultures, floating monolayers made of both goblet and columnar cells are organized in the characteristic midgut pattern. Because all of these processes occur in a controlled environment, the potential exists for identifying the mechanisms involved in these processes and the controlling factors involved.