Norman K. Wessells: a life in science.

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Microfilaments and Cell Locomotion

The role of microfilaments in generating cell locomotion has been investigated in glial cells migrating in vitro. Such cells are found to contain two types of microfilament systems: First, a sheath of 50-70-A in diameter filaments is present in the cytoplasm at the base of the cells, just inside the plasma membrane, and in cell processes. Second, a network of 50-A in diameter filaments is found...

Migratory Cell Locomotion versus Nerve Axon Elongation

The effects of lanthanum ions (La(+++)) on the locomotion and adhesion of g lial cells and elongating nerve axons are reported. La(+++) increases adhesion of both glia and of nerve growth cones to a plastic substratum. La(+++) also markedly reduces glia locomotion, but it does not inhibit nerve elongation. Electron-opaque deposits are seen on the cell surface and within cytoplasmic vesicles of ...

Anchor Filament Bundles in Embryonic Feather Germs and Skin

Dur ing development of embryonic chick skin, fiber-like processes extend from the region of the epidermal-dermal interface deep into the dermis (1). As judged by phase contrast microscopy, the processes originate from epidermal basal cells tha t p ro t rude downward into the dermis. Al though occurring in younger skin, the extensions are most p rominen t at the t ime of feather placode formatio...

Normal Epidermal Basal Cell Behavior in the Absence of Basement Membrane

The definitive role of the basement membrane complex adjacent to epithelial cells has not been established for developing systems. Speculation based on its position and properties of permeability to molecules of various size (1, 2) has led to the idea that the basement membrane is an important factor in mediation of extrinsic cues to developing epithelial cells (3). I t is unknown whether the b...