Cell Biological Study of the Effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) on Chick Embryogenesis - Based on electron microscopic observations -

초기계배의 형태형성에 미치는 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin)의 영향에 관한 세포생물학적 연구 - 전자현미경 관찰을 중심으로 -

Effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT, serotonin) and its precursor tryptophan on the cell proliferation of brain and somite parts of 4 day chick embryo in Dulbeco's modified essential medium was examined morphologically at cellular level. It was realized that the externally added 5-HT and/or tryptophan disturbed cell proliferation and severve necrosis occured. Electron micrograph showed that the development of cell organelles were greatly impaired. The activities of both acetylcholine esterase and $Mg^{2+}$ -dependent ATPase of the brain tissues of 5 day chick embryo, which received 1mg of tryptophan and/or 0.1mg of 5-HT at primitive streak stage after 24 hrs incubation of the fertilized egg, were much lower(about 20-25%) than those of control group. These results were supported by the electron micrographs of chemically treated cells. Control cells showed clear densed bands of acetylcholine esterase activity around nucleus and rough endoplasmic reticulum but tryptophan or 5-HT treated groups showed discontinued activity bands. In the case of $Mg^{2+}$-ATPase, the control groups showed clear continuous activity bands but tryptophan and/or 5-HT treated groups were discontinuous. From the previous and present studies, it seems that the intracelluar 5-HT level is very important for the cell proliferation and normal morphogenesis.