Hierarchy of inductive events.

Abstract

Examination of data on the inducing capacity of mesoderm-inducing factors shows that none of them induces mesoderm alone, but that they also induce endoderm and neural tissues, while in the mesoderm itself, they induce tissues belonging to its main levels. Tests on the inducing capacity of living retina have shown that it does not induce mesoderm, but does induce a spectrum of tissues, including retina, pigmented epithelium, lens and a piece of brain. This situation seems to be indispensable because if it evokes only one differentiation, an increase of diversity in development would be impossible. Selectivity occurs only at the end of the sequence of inductions, as it does in the induction of lens tissue by lens epithelium. Such mechanisms, however, are insufficient for the development of different kinds of cells into homogeneous tissues. This is achieved through the aggregation or separation of initially induced cells, their own products determining (or not) their further fate and leading to homogeneity of tissues. These mechanisms of the first two levels of inductive interactions overlap with events that allow or prevent the access of inducing factors and are, therefore, also involved in the manifestation of competence of potentially reactive cells.