Changes in the interior surface of newly mesodermalized ectoderm and its contact activity with competent ectoderm in the newtCynops (Amphibia)

Summary The presumptive ectoderm (pE) ofCynops gastrulae was artificially mesodermalized by contact with teleost swimbladder. The newly mesodermalized ectoderm (mE) acquired the capacity for neural induction (Suzuki et al. 1986a). SEM observations revealed that the mE cells altered their cellular profiles immediately after mesodermalization. The characteristics of the cell surface and the cell architecture became similar to those of invaginated mesoderm cells. There were distinct differences in the cellular contact between mE—pE and pE—pE combinations. The mE-pE combinations kept close contact at their interior surfaces, while the pE—pE combinations did not keep contact. Both TEM and SEM observations also indicated that there were tight contacts between mE and pE cells. These findings suggest that neural-inducing activity of the newly mesodermalized ectoderm cells is coupled with acquisition of cellular affinity toward the interior surface of competent ectoderm cells, and probably requires close cell contacts.