Manifestations and mechanisms of morphological transformations of cultured cells.

The symptoms of morphological transformation of cultures fibroblastic and epithelial cells are reviewed. It is suggested that main manifestations of morphological transformation can be regarded as consequences of alterations of one group of cellular reactions: of the pseudopodial attachment reactions. Possible mechanisms of pseudopodial reactions are discussed. It is suggested that neoplastic cells have altered reaction norm to the environmental factors controlling pseudopodial reactions.