Horizontal cell differentiation in the retina of the Brazilian opossum, Monodelphis domestica.

Differentiation of many diverse neuronal phenotypes is an essential part of nervous system development. We have studied the differentiation of horizontal cells, one of the basic neuronal types in the vertebrate retina, in a small, easily maintained marsupial by immunocytochemistry using antineurofilament and antivimentin antibodies. At birth the retina consists of proliferating neural epithelial cells, with a few early ganglion cells.

Detergent-based isolation of marginal bands of microtubules from nucleated erythrocytes.

We have developed a new, detergent-based method for the isolation of marginal bands (MBs) of microtubules from non-mammalian vertebrate erythrocytes. The critical step in MB isolation is selective removal of the "membrane skeleton" network (MS), within which the MB is enclosed. To test potential MS solubilizing agents systematically, we prepared dogfish (Mustelus canis) erythrocyte cytoskeletons in the presence of protease inhibitors and stored them at -20 degrees C in medium containing 50% glycerol and 10 microM taxol to stabilize the MB.

Cellular morphogenesis and the formation of marginal bands in amphibian splenic erythroblasts.

The spleen of Ambystoma mexicanum (axolotl) larvae develops as a closed sac containing differentiating nucleated erythrocytes, and is typically isolated from the general circulation for about 10 days post-hatching. Beginning 3-4 days posthatching, it can be removed intact for examination of the morphology and cytoskeletal structure of the erythropoietic cells. In the smallest (earliest) spleens, spheroidal cells predominate, while older ones contain a preponderance of cells exhibiting the flattened elliptical morphology typical of all non-mammalian vertebrate erythrocytes.