The "polarizing inducer" in hydra: A reexamination of its properties and its origin.

Abstract

In order to prove the gradient hypothesis an attempt was made to isolate and accumulate the "polarizing inducer" present in homogenates of hydra and assumed to be a neurosecretory product. By means of gel chromatography two fractions were obtained which brought about the development of supernumary apical structures (tentacles and hypostomes) thus exhibiting the symptoms attributed to this polarizing agent: a low molecular fraction with only modest effectiveness and a main fraction with strong animalizing ability. Increasing the concentration affected only the quantity but not the qualitative properties of the structures produced, a result inconsistent with the postulate of the gradient hypothesis. By analysing the chemical and biological nature of the main agent and by applying pure isolated toxins compelling evidence is given that the inducer in question is nothing but a component of the nematocyst toxins. This component, being heat-stable and trypsin-sensitive, elicites its animalizing effect in unspecific means by disturbing the normal pattern of morphallactic events. A side effect with interest in respect of graded tissue properties could be recorded: by the influence of the relevant toxin, growing together of regenerating animals occurs whereby predominantly apical primordia fuse with apical primordia, thus forming stable parabioses. This observation may indicate the significance of surface bound, contact establishing components in polar differentiation.