Erasure of the memory response in MEL cells

Robert Levenson, David Housman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

When MEL cells are reexposed to DMSO after an interruption in inducer treatment, they can initiate commitment to differentiation without the lag period observed after the primary exposure to inducer. This property is known as memory. Here we have employed metabolic inhibitors to analyze the basis of the memory response. Treatment of cells with cycloheximide or cordycepin during the inducer withdrawal period causes memory erasure. Cells must recapitulate an entire lag period upon reexposure to DMSO. The memory response is maintained, however, if cells are treated with metabolic inhibitors in the presence of DMSO. Our results suggest that the capacity of MEL cells for memory requires the synthesis of cell components which are normally stable in the absence of DMSO. Experiments involving reciprocal shifts between two different inhibitors have been performed. Evidence is presented that the process leading to the initiation of commitment is composed of at least three components acting in sequence.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)81-86
Number of pages6
JournalDevelopmental biology
Volume86
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1981

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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