Species (common/scientific names): Smooth Dogfish / Mustelus canis
	Discipline: Cell Biology

Utility of Smooth Dogfish Erythrocytes for Studies of Cellular Morphogenesis and the Cytoskeleton.

William D. Cohen, Ivelisse Sanchez, Nancy Rayos, and Alma-Villa Dadacay.

The Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 02543 and Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10021

Abstract:
Erythrocytes of the smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis, offer many advantages as a model cell type for studies of cytoskeletal structure, molecular composition, and function. These include large size, availability in essentially pure populations and virtually unlimited quantity, constancy of morphology and cytoskeletal structure, and low temperature lability of the marginal band of microtubules. We explore these and other particularly valuable properties, and describe current methods for handling the animals, obtaining blood, and preparing dogfish erythrocytes and their cytoskeletons for experimental use.

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