Sequential Alterations of Lactic Dehydrogenase Isozymes During Embryonic Development and in Tissue Culture. ∗

Abstract

Summary

1. During development fetal chick liver and muscle show sequential alterations in distribution of LDH isozymes. These changes are characterized by a progressive increase in concentration of cathodal bands relative to anodal bands. In chick heart the LDH isozyme pattern remains relatively constant during development. The number of bands depends on the activity applied to the gel, and with high LDH activity chick heart, muscle and liver 10 days after fertilization show the full tissue complement of LDH isozymes. 2. The chick embryo tissues studied in tissue culture reveal under the conditions employed in this study a common pattern characterized by 1 or 2 heavily stained cathodal bands and 1 or 2 lightly stained anodal bands. During prolonged culture the anodal bands decrease in concentration. Isozymes may prove to be a sensitive index of the maintenance of physiological activities of cells grown in tissue culture.