INFLUENCE OF CERTAIN HORMONES AND CHEMICALS ON MAMMALIAN PIGMENT CELLS

[摘要] The influence of certain chemicals and hormones on B16 mouse melanoma cell strains were studied. The immediate direct effect of these agents on these cells were compared by the use of cinemicrographic recordings; the short term and long term effects were studied by treating the cells either for 1 single subculture or for repeated subcultures. Under the conditions of the experiments, it was concluded that the responses of mouse pigment cells to some of the hormones, i.e., MSH [melanocyte stimulating hormone] and melato-nin, differed from the known effects of those agents on the fish or amphibian melanophores. Hydroquinone in appropriate concentrations selectively inhibited the melanotic cells; colchicine treatment appeared to stimulate pigment cell formation. The significance and possible explanation of these findings are discussed.