Mitotic activity in the tissues of dead mice, and in tissues kept in physiological salt solutions

• Published in: Experimental cell research Vol. 1; no. 3; pp. 410 - 420
• Main Author: Bullough, W.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 1950
• ISSN: 0014-4827; 1090-2422
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-4827(50)90019-X

1. 1. It is shown that in a variety of normal mouse tissues those mitoses which are in progress when the animal is killed continue towards completion for as long as the tissue itself remains alive. During this interval new mitoses developed in tumour cells, but they did not do so in any of the normal tissues examined. 2. 2. This is in agreement with a theory, previously put forward, that glucose and oxygen, the most critical substances in mitosis, are necessary only at the very beginning of the process. Once started, mitosis may continue to completion in the absence of either. 3. 3. When maintained in Locke's solution the length of life of the ear epidermis is greatly prolonged. In these circumstances the presence of glucose is shown to act as a stimulus to the production of new mitoses.