Induction of the stellate configuration in cultured iris epithelial cells by adenosine and compounds related to adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate.

Adenosine, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, monobutyryl cyclic AMP, cyclic AMP, and 5'-AMP have a remarkable morphogenetic effect on cultured iris epithelial cells obtained from adult newt. They alter the broad undulating membrane of the cell into branching strands of cytoplasm, a configuration that has been named "stellate." Theophylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor also induces the stellate configuration. This transient morphological alteration is detectable by 30 min and becomes maximal 80 min after treatment. In the continued presence of the effective compounds the altered cells return to their normal shape, although the recovery period is variable. The morphological alteration of iris epithelial cells in vitro observed in the present experiment is reminiscent of that which occurs during the dedifferentiation phase in lens regeneration in vivo. These observations suggest that induction of the stellate configuration is relevant to the mechanism of dedifferentiation of newt iris epithelial cells during Wolffian lens regeneration.