Regional segregation of ConA receptors on dissociated amphibian embryo cells.

Superficial ectoderm cells from early amphibian embryos maintain regional specializations of their cell surfaces, both in intact tissue and as single cells which have been dissociated with EDTA. The cells are adhesive on lateral and basal cell surfaces and non-adhesive on the apical surface. This study presents evidence that these cells display a regional segregation of ConA receptors. On dissociated superficial ectoderm cells, ConA receptors are restricted to lateral and basal surfaces, with the apical surface having few or no receptors. The results are discussed with respect to possible correlations with regional membrane differences in adhesiveness and in regard to the mechanisms which might be involved in maintaining the regional segregation of ConA receptors.