KELLETININ A, FROM THE MARINE MOLLUSC BUCCINULUM CORNEUM, PROMOTES DIFFERENTIATION IN HYDRA VULGARIS

: The effects of kelletinin A [ribityl pentakis (p-hydroxybenzoate)] (KA), a natural compound isolated from the marine gastropod Buccinulum corneum, were studied in vivo in Hydra vulgaris during regeneration. KA caused a marked increase of regenerated tentacle numbers (ATN) and promoted transdifferentiation of epithelial cells into battery cells, and nematocyte differentiation. Morphological data were correlated to changes in acid and alkaline phosphatase levels, enzymes that have been described as regeneration markers.