Cell surface labeling of embryonic neural retina cells exposed to low temperature, energy inhibitors, cytochalasin B and colchicin

Large blebs devoid of receptors for hemocyanin-labeled concanavalin A appear on neural retina cells from 8-day chick embryos exposed to low temperature or to potassium cyanide or 2,4(α)-dinitrophenol at room temperature. Labeling with mixed antibodies against a crude retina membrane preparation and with goat anti-rabbit-hemocyanin conjugate showed the same results. Determination of cell ATP content indicated a drop in ATP concentration after exposure to low temperature or to respiration inhibitors. Disruption of microtubules by colchicin inhibited the formation of 'naked' large blebs, whereas cytochalasin B had no such inhibitory effect.