Mesodermal cell lineage determination and proto-oncogene expression.
Previously, we have established a rat embryo fibroblastic cell line that is characterized as immortal, nontumorigenic and retains a diploid karyotype. We report here that this cell line will spontaneously differentiate along mesodermal cell lineages to form myotubes and adipocytes. We have isolated and characterized lineage-determined (nondifferentiated) preadipocytes and myoblasts. Using these cell lines we have investigated the expression of proto-oncogenes concomitant with lineage-specific determination. No major changes in proto-oncogene RNA levels were observed that correlated with lineage determination. These results would suggest that none of the 15 proto-oncogenes used in these experiments are involved in mesodermal lineage determination; but this does not rule out the possibility that other proto-oncogenes not tested or currently unknown may be involved. However, these differentiating subclones and nondifferentiating fibroblasts that exhibit a normal karyotype will be an excellent model-system to investigate the molecular basis of cell lineage determination.
Ketelaar
D A
DA
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242.
Utesch
G R
GR
Sierra
E
E
Guernsey
D L
DL
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats
D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger