Protein parameters of differential gene activation during development and tumorigenesis.

Various models of normal and abnormal developmental systems were addressed to get an insight into molecular parameters of cell differentiation at the level of protein gene products. Electrophoretic analysis of heterogeneous protein mixtures permitted qualitative analysis of developing systems, particularly during organogenesis in mammals, as well as of neoplastic growth in the animal and plant kingdoms. From our earlier findings indicating that the definite protein patterns characteristic of adult organs are acquired long after the adult morphological and histological characteristics of these tissues have developed, it has been repeatedly proven that quantitative changes in whole proteins is not a dependable indicator of cell differentiation.