ISSN:
1432-2307
Keywords:
Nucleolar organizer regions
;
Silver staining
;
Image analysis
;
Cell cycle
;
Proliferation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Detailed investigation of cell growth and nucleolar organizer region associated argyrophilic proteins (Ag-NORs) is necessary to asses a possible impact of Ag-NOR quantification on the diagnosis and prognosis of tumours. In this study, cellular proliferation of the transitional-cell carcinoma cell line HOK-1 was modulated over a period of 11 days by starvation and subsequent medium addition. Proliferation was determined daily by DNA flow cytometric estimation of S-phase fraction (SPF) and mitotic index (MI) calculation. The number and area of interphase Ag-NORs were quantified by automated image analysis daily and the number of Ag-NOR bearing chromosomes in metaphase was counted. In interphase nuclei, Ag-NOR area showed a highly significant correlation with SPF (p〈0.0001) whereas interphase Ag-NOR number showed significant correlation with MI (p〈0.05). A positive relationship between the number of Ag-NOR bearing chromosomes in metaphases and cellular proliferation was also observed. There is variability in Ag-NOR quantity during interphase and metaphase depending on growth conditions in vitro. Correlations of the number of interphase Ag-NORs with the MI on one hand and Ag-NOR area with SPF on the other provide further evidence that distribution and quantity of Ag-NORs are strongly influenced by the cell cycle phase within the structural-functional unit of the nucleolus.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00193494
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