Inhibitory Effects of Chloramphenicol on the Histogenetic Aggregation of Dissociated Cells

Abstract

As test mate-rials 5 to 7 day chick embryos were used, in which the body was dissociated with trypsin to make a suspension of single cells after removal of the head region. The inhibitory effects of chloramphenicol dissolved in the nutrient fluid at various concentrations, as an inhibitor of protein synthesis, were observed on the histogenetic aggregation of dissociated embryonic chick cells. It was suggested that the chloramphenicol does not damage primarily the cells, but does inhibit cell-aggregation by blocking protein synthesis. It was also assumed that the dissociated cells may retain the genetic information necessary for the synthesis of a substance or substances which would promote the histogenetic aggregation.