Autoradiographic evidence for epithelial origin of glucose-rich components of the basement membrane (basal lamina) and basement lamella in the skin of Fundulus heteroclitus

Abstract

Autoradiography has been employed to investigate the site of origin of the adepithelial basement membrane, or basal lamina, of the skin of Fundulus heteroclitus. Both tritiated glucose and proline were used as radioactive precursors in organ culture. Glucose was progressively segregated and concentrated in two areas of the epithelium: (1) in the superficial layer of cells near the external surface, and (2) in the cortex of the basal layer near the basement membrane. After 12 hours the basement membrane was also labeled, and after 24 hours the epithelium, basement membrane (basal lamina), and basement lamella were all labeled. We have concluded that the label over the superficial layer of epithelium near the external surface of the fish represents glucose incorporation into mucous secretion products; and that label over the basal cell layer, basement membrane, and basement lamella represents synthesis by the epithelium of glucose-rich components, perhaps mucoproteins, of the basement membrane and of the ground substance of the basement lamella. Not all areas of the epithelium and underlying connective tissue incorporated glucose at the same time, and only after 24 hours were unlabeled areas of the skin eliminated. Proline incorporation was much less specific than that of glucose. Although the epidermis and dermis were heavily labeled, proline was incorporated in almost every tissue of the fish. The value of proline as a specific label for collagen is questioned.