The specific amino acid requirements of a human carcinoma cell (Stain HeLa) in tissue culture

Nutritional requirements for the production of herpes simplex virus. I. Influence of glucose and glutamine of herpes simplex virus production by HeLa cells

Lewis, Vester J., Jr. (University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Oklahoma City) and L. Vernon Scott. Nutritional requirements for the production of herpes simplex virus. I. Influence of glucose and glutamine on herpes simplex virus production by HeLa cells. J. Bacteriol. 83:475-482. 1962.-The importance of glucose and glutamine in herpes simplex virus production by HeLa cells was evaluated by variation of the composition of Eagle's basal medium. Simultaneous omission of glucose and glutamine from the serum-containing medium resulted in marked curtailment of viral synthesis. The effect was attributable neither to decreased survival time of infectious particles or of cells, nor to decreased rate of viral adsorption or penetration in the presence of the deficient medium. Therefore, the effect was probably on intracellular viral replication.When the requirements for glucose and glutamine were determined separately, it was found that viral production was reduced in glucose-deficient medium. In contrast, a medium which was complete except for restriction of the glutamine content to that occurring naturally in the serum component supported significantly greater viral multiplication than did the complete medium. Limited viral replication occurred with medium which lacked both glutamine and serum. Viral multiplication in the presence of serum-free medium was stimulated by the addition of glutamine.

Nucleuc acid synthesis in types 4 and 5 adenovirus-infected HeLa cells

Type 4 adenovirus infection of HeLa cells effected a marked increase in synthesis of the saline-soluble DNA fraction, but not the host-cell DNA (the water-soluble fraction). This was demonstrated by the marked increase in specific activity of saline-soluble DNA but not water-soluble DNA when P³²-inorganic phosphate or sodium formate-C¹⁴ was employed. When these isotopes were used to label cells before viral infection rather than during the process of viral propagation, the saline-soluble DNA from infected cells had a specific activity of 10 to 20 per cent less than that of uninfected cells, indicating that the saline-soluble DNA was synthesized both from prelabeled precursors of the cell pools and unlabeled materials from the medium. Saline-soluble DNA began to increase between 10 to 12 hours after viral infection and 3 to 4 hours before appearance of newly propagated infectious virus. The specific activity of the acid-soluble pool of infected cells also increased between 10 to 12 hours after viral inoculation when sodium formate-C¹⁴ was used as a radioisotope. When P³²-inorganic phosphate was utilized, the specific activity of infected-cell RNA was increased approximately the same relative amount as when total RNA was determined chemically; i.e., 30 to 40 per cent. With type 5 adenovirus, not only did a 3- to 5-fold increase in saline-soluble DNA occur, but also an increase was measured in specific activity of RNA when P³²-inorganic phosphate was used.

Effect of multiplicity of infection on Newcastle disease virus-HeLa cell interaction

The effects of a hundred-fold difference in virus/cell multiplicity on the interaction of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) with HeLa cells were studied, and various phases of the virus reproductive cycle were related to cellular consequences of infection. At both multiplicities used all cells were infected. The following events occurred 1 to 2 hours earlier in cells which were inoculated with the higher multiplicity: (a) first appearance of newly made virus antigen, and the amount present at any time during the period of rapid increase; (b) onset and time course of production of infective virus; (c) development by infected cells of hemadsorbing ability; (d) onset and time course of inhibition of mitosis; and (e) onset and time course of marked cell damage. Double infection of HeLa cells with NDV and NWS was demonstrated by the fluorescent antibody technique, and was used to show that the establishment of interference against NWS was also dependent upon the multiplicity of NDV. In cells inoculated at each multiplicity, newly made virus antigen appeared at the same time as the first infective virus particles. Infective virus rapidly reached a peak, and then declined. Viral antigen continued to increase for several hours after the decline in infective virus had begun. Thus, only a small fraction of the virus antigen produced was incorporated into new infective particles. The maximal yield of such particles was only 6 to 11 per HeLa cell. Over 95 per cent of new virus was cell-associated, but could be neutralized by treatment with antiserum before disruption of cells. Mitosis occurred in cells which had produced and released infective NDV. Progressive inhibition of mitotic activity in infected cells was correlated with continued production of viral antigen. Marked cytopathic changes developed after mitotic activity had decreased to low levels. The mechanism by which NDV inhibits mitosis in HeLa cells is discussed.

Demonstration of the sequential development of vaccinial antigens and virus in infected cells: observations with cytochemical and differential fluorescent procedures

Virus-induced alterations in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells have been followed by immunofluorescent and cytochemical techniques. In a time sequence study, infected cells show an early increase in cytoplasmic RNA content, followed by appearance of centers of viral DNA synthesis in the cytoplasm. The centers of synthesis were detected at 4 hours post infection, with the acridine orange fluorochrome stain as compared to 6 hours with Feulgen and methyl green-pyronin stains. Marginal fragmentation of the inclusion bodies was seen at 8 to 10 hours post infection, and appears to coincide with the first increase in cell-associated virus. With the immunofluorescent technique, it was found that the LS antigen of the virus can be detected at about 4 hours post infection. This is followed at 5 to 6 hours post infection by the appearance of the NP antigen. Both antigens are found only in the cytoplasm, and precede the appearance of the infective particle. The HA antigen, a by-product of virus-cell interaction, is not seen until about 10 hours post infection; that is, several hours after the appearance of both the LS and NP antigens, and only after the appearance of mature virus. The successful application of the use of two immune sera, each labeled with a different fluorescent dye for the simultaneous visualization of two antigens within a cell, is reported. Using this technique, the sites of LS and NP antigen synthesis, were easily differentiated. The intimate mixing of the two antigens at a later stage appears to coincide with the fragmentation of the inclusion body and the first detectable increase in cell-associated virus. The evidence obtained strongly suggests that the typical inclusion body observed in vaccinia-infected cells is composed mainly of the NP antigen.

Preparation and antigenicity of M protein released from group A, type 1 streptococcal cell walls by phage-associated lysin

The lysis of Group A type 1 streptococcal cell walls by phage-associated lysin has been described. In the preparation of lysin, a new semisynthetic non-protein media to support growth of the propagating strain of Group C streptococci was employed. Following lysis of the cell walls, the resulting digest was partially purified by ion-exchange chromatography and ammonium sulfate precipitation. In addition to M protein, the resulting preparation (called lysin M protein) contained the group-specific carbohydrate and the T protein—but did not contain antigens, detectable by precipitin tests, which cross-reacted with absorbed heterologous group or type antisera. Capillary precipitin reactions between the lysin M protein and type-specific antiserum did not occur in the presence of high ionic strength buffers; these buffers did not similarly affect precipitin reactions of acid M protein. Type 1 lysin M protein is shown to be a good antigen. A total of 1.5 mg. injected intradermally in saline produced bactericidal antibody in eight of nine rabbits; when injected in adjuvant in one rabbit, protective serum antibodies developed. Streptococci grown in sera from seven of nine rabbits immunized with lysin M protein demonstrated significantly longer chains than when grown in normal rabbit serum. Antibody as demonstrated by each of these three tests was shown to be type-specific. No local or systemic toxicity was noted following intradermal injection in rabbits of lysin M protein.

Genetics of human cell lines. III. Incorporation of 5-bromo- and 5-iododeoxyuridine into the deoxyribonucleic acid of human cells and its effect on radiation sensitivity

The human cell line D98S can be cultivated indefinitely in the presence of up to 3 x 10^–5M 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUDR), without loss of cell viability. During this time, BUDR is incorporated into both strands of the DNA molecules, replacing up to 45 per cent of the thymidine and thereby rendering the cells highly sensitive to UV light and to x-rays. Cells grown for a limited period of time in the presence of 5-iododeoxyuridine (IUDR) become UV-sensitized, while prolonged cultivation with IUDR results in the loss of cell viability. The properties of the BUDR label permitted the demonstration that: (a) human DNA replicates in a "semiconservative" manner; (b) the degree of radiosensitization of BUDR-treated cells depends on whether the DNA has been substituted in one strand only ("unifilarly") or in both strands ("bifilarly"); (c) functional human DNA is produced during partial inhibition of protein synthesis. The potential applicability of this new rational principle of radiosensitization to the radiotherapy of neoplastic diseases is discussed.

Direct effect of branched-chain amino acids on the growth and metabolism of cultured human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Little is known about the influence of amino acid imbalance by supplementation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the effect of various BCAA concentrations in culture medium on the growth and metabolism of two human HCC cell lines: Hep G2 and KYN-1. DNA and protein syntheses were studied by radiolabeled thymidine and leucine uptake, Amino acid concentrations in cell and medium were measured with an amino acid analyzer. Expression and excretion of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha and TGF-beta1 were studied by immunostaining and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay methods. The cell growth was suppressed in media with higher and lower BCAA concentrations than Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, and this was grossly correlated with the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA and incorporation of [3H]leucine into intracellular protein. Pretreatment with 10,000 nmol/ml of BCAA did not suppress the cell growth in subsequent culture in the standard Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, indicating that the effect of BCAAs was not cytocidal but cytostatic and reversible. BCAA and aromatic amino acid concentrations in cells increased in parallel as the BCAA level in medium was increased, despite the fixed aromatic amino acid level. Intracellular expression and extracellular excretion of TGF-alpha were higher at BCAA concentrations of 100 and 1,000 nmol/ml than at 10 or 1,000 nmol/ml. The present finding that the in vitro growth of HCC can be suppressed by enriched BCAA levels in medium may indicate that amino acid-imbalanced therapy with enriched BCAAs is useful in the treatment of HCC.

Glutamate toxicity on a PC12 cell line involves glutathione (GSH) depletion and oxidative stress

The effect of antioxidants and reducing agents on glutamate-induced cytotoxicity was examined using PC12 cells. The antioxidants vitamin E, idebenone, and selegiline protected cells against the cytotoxicity observed 24 h after exposure to 0.5 or 10 mM glutamate, as determined by lactate dehydrogenase leakage, even when added 3 h after glutamate. The reducing agents, glutathione (GSH) and dithiothreitol (DTT), also provided protection against the cytotoxicity of glutamate. Preincubation of PC12 cells with the antioxidants mentioned above, or the incubation with those antioxidants after exposure to glutamate for 3 h, prevented the reduction of viability caused by glutamate. Cystine uptake was inhibited by exposure of cells to glutamate, as determined by L-[35S]-cystine uptake. Incubation of cells with 0.5 or 10 mM glutamate caused a marked decrease in cellular GSH levels, not prevented by antioxidants. The activity of GSSG reductase was decreased by glutamate and this inhibition was reverted in the presence of the reducing agents GSH and DTT. These results indicate that glutamate toxicity on PC12 cells results from the inhibition of cystine uptake with consequent GSH depletion and oxidative stress, suggesting that antioxidants may reduce the cellular damage in pathologic conditions associated with excessive glutamate release.

EFFECT OF ADJUVANTS ON ANTIBODY RESPONSE OF RABBITS INOCULATED WITH VENEZUELAN EQUINE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS VIRUS

Shepel, Michael (U.S. Army Biological Laboratories, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.) and Maxwell R. Klugerman. Effect of adjuvants on antibody response of rabbits inoculated with Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus. J. Bacteriol. 85:1150-1155. 1963.-Hemagglutination-inhibition, neutralization, and complement-fixation tests were performed on sera of rabbits inoculated with Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus in combination with Freund's adjuvants and in Hank's salt solution. This study indicated that the complete adjuvants (i.e., with mycobacteria) considerably increased the antibody response to VEE virus. Mycobacterium butyricum (M. smegmatis) appeared to be more effective than M. tuberculosis H37Ra. In the absence of mycobacteria, the response was much less pronounced. Paper electrophoretic studies of the antisera demonstrated a marked increase in gamma-globulin production, an increase in the beta-globulin, and an increase in total protein as the result of adding VEE virus to the complete adjuvants. A decrease in the albumin fraction appeared to be caused by the complete adjuvants rather than by the VEE virus itself. The incomplete adjuvant (without mycobacteria) plus virus contributed little, if any, stimulation toward the production of gamma-globulin, nor did it appear to affect the serum-albumin levels.

HYBRIDS DERIVED FROM THE VIRUSES OF ALASTRIM AND RABBIT POX

The characters of seven clones of virus derived from mixed infections with alastrim and rabbit pox have been described. One clone was shown to behave as rabbit pox in respect of all its markers. The other six were found to be distinct new types of virus, each having a different combination of the parental characters. The reasons for accepting these viruses as hybrids have been discussed. An analysis of the pairwise crosses between individual markers suggested that each of the nine markers was capable of segregating independently.

Inhibition of the growth of a murine and various human tumor cell lines in culture and in mice by mixture of certain substances of the circulatory system

It is well documented that despite global abnormalities of the immune system in AIDS and other immune deficiency diseases or in immunosuppressed patients, the incidence of only a few kinds of tumor increases, and that the degree of immunosuppression seems not to be a critical factor in the development of even these tumors. The fact that tumors do not develop in the majority of population during their lifetime, despite the ineffectiveness of the known immune system against the majority of tumors, can only be explained by hypothesizing that the living system has an additional defense mechanism against tumors. On the bases of literary data, it can be assumed that the effective agents of this defense mechanism are certain substances of the circulatory system. We proved this hypothesis by being able to select thirteen substances of the circulatory system from 71 compounds tested, using the synergistic tumor cell-killing effect as criteria. The mixture containing the thirteen substances (L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, L-methionine, L(-)-malate, L-ascorbate, L-arginine, L-phenylalanine, L-histidine, 2-deoxy-D-ribose, d-biotin, pyridoxine, adenine and riboflavin) had a cytotoxic effect against Sp2/0-Ag14 mouse and K562, HEp-2, HeLa and Caco-2 human tumor cell lines in well-controlled conditions, but it was not cytotoxic against Vero normal cell line. The mixture of the above substances increased significantly the survival time of mice (T/C% 148.1) injected i.p. with Sp2/0-Ag14 mouse myeloma cells by killing more than 2 logs (99%) of the cells. Approximately the same 2 logs cell kill was found counting the Sp2/0-Ag14 cells in the ascitic fluid of control and treated animals after finishing treatment. The above mixture slowed down the growth of HeLa solid tumor significantly (T/C%, the least value 35.7). The weight loss of control and treated group during treatment did not differ significantly.

Application of a statistical design to the optimization of culture medium for recombinant interferon-gamma production by Chinese hamster ovary cells

The importance of serum-free medium components on the growth of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and production of recombinant human interferon(IFN)-gamma was investigated. The complexity of the medium led to the adoption of a statistical optimization approach based on a Plackett-Burman design. From this analysis a set of nutritional components was identified as important for cell growth and recombinant protein production. Glycine was identified as an important determinant of specific growth rate, whereas for cell production bovine serum albumin (BSA), phenylalanine and tyrosine were also identified as important. BSA, sodium pyruvate, glutamate, methionine, proline, histidine, hydroxyproline, tyrosine and phenylalanine were shown to be important for IFN-gamma production. Other medium components, such as insulin, arginine, aspartate and serine produced an inhibitory effect on both cell growth and IFN-gamma production. The effect of the stimulatory nutrients as a whole group was tested by increasing their concentration in the medium. A significant improvement in specific cell growth rate, cell production and IFN-gamma production (up to 45%) was achieved on both shake-flask and fermentor cultures. An increase in the medium concentration of the negative variables had only a small inhibitory effect (approximately 10%) on the same parameters. Analysis of the effects of the group of stimulatory amino acids and BSA on CHO cell growth showed that the effect of the former was independent of BSA.

Modulation of human lymphocyte proliferation by amino acids

The amino acids required for phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) induced lymphocyte proliferation were determined by the 3H-thymidine incorporation in amino acid-deficient media. Results indicate that the PHA-stimulated lymphocytes require alanine and serine in addition to 13 other amino acids present in Eagle's minimal essential medium (arginine, cysteine, glutamine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine). The omission of any one of the 13 amino acids would stop almost completely the proliferation of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes. The omission of serine from RPMI 1640 medium caused a mean reduction of 64% of cell proliferation, while the addition of alanine to PRMI 1640 culture medium caused a mean increment of 52%. The lymphocyte proliferation appears to be modulated by amino acids in the culture medium, and for optimal growth of lymphocytes, all these 15 amino acids are essential.

Glutamate toxicity in a neuronal cell line involves inhibition of cystine transport leading to oxidative stress

Glutamate binds to both excitatory neurotransmitter binding sites and a Cl(-)-dependent, quisqualate- and cystine-inhibited transport site on brain neurons. The neuroblastoma-primary retina hybrid cells (N18-RE-105) are susceptible to glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. The Cl(-)-dependent transport site to which glutamate and quisqualate (but not kainate or NMDA) bind has a higher affinity for cystine than for glutamate. Lowering cystine concentrations in the cell culture medium results in cytotoxicity similar to that induced by glutamate addition in its morphology, kinetics, and Ca2+ dependence. Glutamate-induced cytotoxicity is directly proportional to its ability to inhibit cystine uptake. Exposure to glutamate (or lowered cystine) causes a decrease in glutathione levels and an accumulation of intracellular peroxides. Like N18-RE-105 cells, primary rat hippocampal neurons (but not glia) in culture degenerate in medium with lowered cystine concentration. Thus, glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in N18-RE-105 cells is due to inhibition of cystine uptake, resulting in lowered glutathione levels leading to oxidative stress and cell death.

The mechanisms of inhibitory effects of liver extract on lymphocyte proliferation. I. The extracellular mechanism of the inhibition

Liver aqueous extract (LEx) can powerfully inhibit phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphocyte proliferation. The extracellular mechanism of inhibition by LEx was studied. There are three possibilities. (1) The possibility of extracellular inactivation of PHA by LEx was excluded by incubating cells with PHA first, followed by washing, and then incubating cells with LEx. The result was that LEx was still able to inhibit cell proliferation completely. (2) The possibility of competition for cell surface PHA receptors by LEx was excluded by the above experiments plus the use of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine to remove surface-bound PHA. Following this treatment, LEx was still able to inhibit cell proliferation completely. (3) The possibility of arginase-induced arginine depletion resulting in lymphocyte suppression was supported by the following experiments. Cells were incubated in media in which arginine was depleted either by reacting with LEx, and the media were afterwards bound with anti-arginase antibody, or by amino acid constituted media without arginine. The degrees of proliferation inhibition were similar in both treatments. These results indicate the important role of arginine-depletion by LEx, and may account for the LEx-induced lymphocyte inhibition.

Amino acid requirements of a rat sarcoma as determined by a stem cell assay

Knowledge of the amino acid requirements of a neoplasm is valuable in determining optimal nutritional support and antineoplastic therapy for the tumor-bearing host. The standard human tumor stem cell assay (HTSCA) was modified by reducing an individual amino acid below the normal plasma concentration of the Fischer 344 rat. All other amino acids were maintained at levels sufficient for normal HTSCA tumor colony growth. Twenty-two amino acids were tested at a mean concentration of 12% (range 3% to 35%) of their normal plasma level. Results indicated that all amino acids except L-glutamine and L-asparagine were present in sufficient quantity for normal tumor growth. Dose-response curves have shown more than 70% inhibition of tumor growth with a glutamine concentration of 50% and an asparagine concentration of 25%. Glutamine and asparagine levels of 4% and 1%, respectively, resulted in 100% inhibition. The data indicate that rat sarcoma stem cells are sensitive to decreased glutamine and asparagine concentrations.

L-glutamine: a major substrate for tumor cells in vivo?

From 65 human breast cancer xenografts investigated, a net glutamine uptake was found in 13 tumors (mean +/- SE: 15.7 +/- 4.5 nmol/g per min) whereas a net release (22.5 +/- 3.3 nmol/g per min) was observed in 40 tumors. In 12 tumors neither a significant net uptake nor a net release was obvious. There is experimental evidence that glutamine is taken up by cancer cells only at arterial concentrations greater than 0.5 mM. Another parameter determining glutamine utilization by tumor cells may be the tissue oxygenation. In hypoxic or anoxic tumor areas, glutamine oxidation is unlikely since oxygen is required for the reoxidation of coenzymes which are reduced in the course of this metabolic pathway. The pronounced net release could be due to proteolysis within the tumors investigated. In ascitic fluid (DS-carcinosarcoma), glutamine accumulated during growth, implicating a reduction in the glutamine consumption rate, proposedly also due to a worsening of the oxygen supply to the suspended tumor cells. Thus, the generally held opinion that L-glutamine is a (if not the) major substrate for the energy metabolism of rapidly growing tumor cells should be reconsidered since evidence for this hypothesis has been derived mainly from in vitro systems with abundant oxygen.

Mouse lymphoma L1210 cells acquire a new cystine transport activity upon adaptation in vitro

Mouse lymphoma L1210 cells maintained in vitro at a high cell density for a certain time period adapted themselves to the in vitro environment and were able to grow indefinitely. From these adapted cells, more than 30 clones were isolated. They all had much higher activity to take up cystine than the original L1210 cells, supporting a previous view that the deficiency of the cystine uptake limits the survival and growth of L1210 cells in vitro. The cystine uptake of one cloned cell line was characterized. The enhanced uptake of cystine in these cells was mainly mediated by a Na+-independent, saturable system and was potently inhibited by glutamate and some other anionic amino acids, but less by aspartate. Such activity of cystine uptake was not observed in the original L1210 cells. The results suggest that, upon adaptation in vitro, L1210 cells acquire a new cystine transport activity necessary for survival and growth in vitro.

The relationship between purines, pyrimidines, nucleosides, and glutamine for fibroblast cell proliferation

Previous studies indicate that glutamine is a critical requirement for cell proliferation in vitro. We recently showed that depletion of glutamine from the culture medium supporting growing cells significantly reduced the proportion of cells undergoing DNA synthesis. Similarly glutamine depletion significantly reduced the stimulatory response of quiescent cells to 10% serum. This study shows that the inhibitory effects of depletion of glutamine--in either of these two situations--can be overcome by the addition of adenine or adenosine. Adenine was the only nitrogen base and adenosine was the only nucleoside for which this effect was observed. Such effects could, however, also be achieved by addition of the purine metabolites hypoxantine and inosine. Furthermore, it was found that glutamine (or adenine/adenosine) is only required during a limited interval coinciding with the late part of the G1-phase and the beginning of S-phase. These data suggest the possibility that glutamine exerts its main regulatory effects on cell proliferation by acting as a precursor for adenine and adenosine.

Inhibition of growth of mammalian cell cultures by extracts of arginine-utilizing mycoplasmas

Mechanisms of the inhibition of growth of mammalian cell cultures caused by mycoplasmal infection were investigated by using cell-free extracts of 14 species of mycoplasmas. In four mammalian cell lines tested, the growth of two cell lines, FM3A and MDCK, was inhibited by the extracts of arginine-utilizing mycoplasmas, whereas that of the other two cell lines, Vero and LLC-MK2, was not inhibited by extracts of either arginine- or glucose-utilizing mycoplasmas. These results suggest that there are two types of cell cultures, one susceptible and the other insusceptible to arginine-utilizing mycoplasmas. In a series of experiments using FM3A cells, it was found that the growth inhibition caused by the extracts of arginine-utilizing mycoplasmas was due to removal of arginine from the medium by the action of arginine deiminase present in the extracts and that none of the metabolic products of arginine had any effect on the growth. A highly positive correlation (r = 0.96, P less than 0.01) was observed between the activity of arginine deiminase and the growth-inhibiting activity of extracts of arginine-utilizing mycoplasmas.

Serum amino acids in weight-losing patients with cancer and tuberculosis

A study of arterial and arterio-venous amino acid concentration differences across the forearm was performed in 19 weight-losing cancer (CWL) patients (9 with lung cancer and 10 with other types of cancer), 8 weight-losing patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TWL) and 10 normal controls. Arterial concentrations of many of the amino acids measured were found to be lower in CWL than in TWL patients. In addition, the data suggested a venous excess of amino acids in the CWL patients compared with TWL patients and controls. The increased release of alanine from forearm muscles in the CWL group, together with the low arterial glycogenic amino acid levels, supports the concept of enhanced gluconeogenesis in CWL patients. Low arterial amino acid levels and possible increased release of amino acids from forearm muscle in CWL patients implies enhanced proteolysis with increased central clearance or tumour sequestration of these amino acids, though decreased proteogenesis cannot be excluded in accounting for the venous excesses in this group. Hypocitrullinemia in lung cancer patients was marked, and possible mechanisms to account for this are discussed.

The glucose distribution in 9L rat brain multicell tumor spheroids and its effect on cell necrosis

The glucose consumption rate of 9L rat brain tumor cells was determined as a function of concentration. Glucose uptake followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a Km of 0.58 mM and a Vmax of 1.6 pg/cell-min. The glucose diffusion coefficient in spheroids of 9L tumor cells was determined to be 1.5 x 10(-6) cm2/s at 37 degrees C. Using these parametric values, the glucose distribution in 9L multicell spheroids was calculated and related to the viable and necrotic zones.

Glutamine and the regulation of DNA replication and cell multiplication in fibroblasts

Several studies indicate that glutamine is a critical requirement for cell growth in vitro. Growing and quiescent (serum-starved) 3T3-fibroblasts were exposed to media (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's minimal essential medium) in which the concentration of the 13 essential amino acids had been lowered to 1/100 or 1/1,000 of that in DMEM - either all together or one by one. The effects on DNa synthesis were measured by autoradiographic determinations of the percentage of labeled cells after 24 hours exposure to 3H-thymidine. a reduction of all 13 essential amino acids to 1/100 or 1/1,000 of the normal concentration in the medium resulted only in a minor growth inhibitory effect during the first cell cycle. A similar growth inhibitory effect was caused by the depletion of one of the 13 essential amino acids (except glutamine) from the medium. However, a depletion of glutamine from the medium resulted in a marked inhibition of growth. Conversely, a relative excess of glutamine, when the other 12 amino acids were lowered to 1/1,000 of the normal concentration, counteracted the growth inhibitory effect of serum starvation. It was even possible to stimulate quiescent cells to undergo DNa synthesis by exposing them to a serum-depleted (0.5% serum) medium with a relative excess of glutamine.

Inhibition of growth of proline-requiring Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-k1) resulting from antagonism by a system amino acids

CHO-K1 requires proline for growth. Two proline-independent revertants were isolated--K1-J and K1-6. CHO-K1 pro- is much more sensitive than the pro+ cell lines to inhibition of growth by addition to the medium of amino acids and amino acid analogues that are transported through the A system. In contrast, pro+ cells are as sensitive as, or in some cases slightly more sensitive than, pro- cells to glycine, basic amino acids, and to amino acids that are mainly transported by the L system. The A system analogue alpha(methylamino) isobutyric acid (MAIB) in low concentrations reacts competitively with proline to regulate the growth of pro- cells, yielding a Ki for MAIB of 0.56 mM. CHO-K1 and K1-6 transport proline at the same initial rate and are equally sensitive to the inhibition of proline transport by alanine. Alanine and MAIB inhibit proline transport strongly and similarly in CHO-K1. Thus although these compounds inhibit the transport of proline by both cell types to the same extent, pro+ cells are immune to the effect of this starvation since they are able to synthesize their own proline. We also describe a secondary inhibition caused by high A system amino acid concentrations that affects both pro- and pro+ cells.

Growth and maintenance of HeLa cells in serum-free medium supplemented with hormones

HeLa cells grow in a nutritionally complete synthetic medium (Ham's F12) supplemented with insulin, transferrin, hydrocortisone (aldosterone), fibroblast growth factor, and epidermal growth factor. This hormone-supplemented medium supports clonal growth, long-term cultivation, and a growth rate equal to that of serum-supplemented medium. The omission of any one of the five components results in less than maximal cell growth.

Growth of human diploid fibroblasts in the absence of glucose utilization

Normal human diploid fibroblasts were able to undergo one to two cell divisions without glucose utilization in Eagle's minimum essential medium plus 10% dialyzed fetal calf serum if the medium was supplemented with hypoxanthine, thymidine, and uridine (supplemented medium termed HTU-MEM). Under these conditions, the added purine and pyrimidines were required for nucleic acid synthesis, as shown by the inability of Lesch-Nyhan fibroblasts to grow in HTU-MEM. Normal human diploid fibroblasts continued to produce lactate in HTU-MEM, but at a greatly reduced rate. Since cells grew in HTU-MEM without glucose utilization, the probable energy and carbon source was glutamine, which is present in relatively high concentration. Furthermore, the rate of glutamine utilization per cell division was 2-fold greater in HTU-MEM than in medium with 5.5 mM glucose. These results suggest that glutamine can be a major energy source for cells grown in vitro.

Inhibition of the growth of mammalian cells in cuture by amino acids and the isolation and characterization of L-phenylalanine transport

Raising the concentration of phenylalanine and other amino acids in MEM leads to the inhibition of growth and in some cases to death of A9. Balb 3T3 , SV40 Balb 3T3 (SVT2), CHO, and WI38. All cells tested exhibited some similar senstivities to certain of the amino acids. but there were some unique differences. Phenylalanine-resistant mutants (Pher) of A9 were isolated that had modified phenylalanine-transport properties. These mutants can be isolated by a single-step selection procedure. A Lineweaver-Burk plot of initial rates of phenylalanine uptake by A9 and mutants showed a biphasic curve suggesting two transport systems. The Pher mutants had altered properties of both systems. It is suggested that the selection of clones resistant to high concentration of several of the natural amino acid may be used as a general method for the isolation of mutants affecting the various amino acid transport systems in mammalian cells.

Influence of valine deprivation and its reversal on fatty acid metabolism in HeLa cells

The effects that amino acid starvation and re-supplementation have on fatty acid metabolism in HeLa cells have been studied using radio gas chromatographic techniques. Deprivation of valine for 13.5 h caused fatty acid de novo biosynthesis, elongation and desaturation to cease. This effect was reversed within 5 h by adding valine back to the culture. During deprivation accumulation of triacylglycerol occurred. The return of valine to the culture caused compositional changes in the triacylglycerols and phosphatidylcholines.

Some paradoxical effects of inhibitors of protein synthesis on protein turnover in cultured human cells

Low concentrations of cycloheximide, sufficient to block net protein synthesis in growing normal and cancer cells, had no effect on protein turnover, i.e. either the incorporation of labeled amino acids from media lacking other amino acids essential for growth, or the loss to the medium of amino acids from prelabeled cells. At the concentrations that blocked growth, the rate of amino acid incorporation from complete medium was reduced to the "turnover level" i.e. the rate of incorporation seen in amino acid-deficient media. Protein turnover was inhibited only at higher concentrations of the inhibitor. Qualitatively similar results have been obtained with puromycin, anisomycin, emetin and tylocerebrine.

Autoclavable low cost serum-free cell culture media: the growth of established cell lines and production of viruses

Five cell lines (BSC-1, CHO, Balb/c 3T3, HeLa, and KB) have been grown in serum-free media for several months with regular schedules of media changing and subculturing. The medium found to be successful in all cases was MEM-alpha (without the ribosides and deoxyribosides) supplemented with 1% bacteropeptone, although simple MEM (minimum essental medium (Eagle) with bacteropeptone (BP) gave fairly good growth in the case of BSC-1 and 3T3 cells. The addition of insulin was necessary for CHO, 3T3, HeLa, and KB cells. Only the BSC-1 cells grew exclusively as a stationary suspensions and the 3T3 cells growing as a combination of monalayer and suspension depending on the age of the culture and the nature of the growth surface. SV40 was produced in BSC-1 cells grown and infected in the MEM-alpha, bactopeptone medium and adenovirus-2 was produced in spinners of HeLa and KB cells grown in MEM-alpha, bactopeptone, PVP-360, and insulin. The yield of virus and infectivity of the viruses produced were about the same as those produced in conventional serum-containing systems.

Appearance of smaller mannosyl-glycopeptides on the surface of a human cell transformed by simian virus 40

When fucosyl surface glycopeptides from growing normal human cells (WI 38) were compared with those derived from nongrowing cells the former were enriched in high-molecular-weight species. However, a line of human cells (WI 18Va) transformed by simian virus 40 appeared to have fucosyl-glycopeptides similar in size distribution to those from rapidly growing non-transformed cells (WI 38). I propose that the enrichment in high molecular weight species in these cells might be growth- rather than transformation-dependent. Using radioactive mannose to label surface glycopeptides, I observed that those derived from transformed cells (WI 18Va) were smaller than those from rapidly growing normal cells. Thus differences in size distribution may not be adequate criteria to evaluate the growth-dependent alterations in cell surface glycopeptides.