Detection of mycoplasma infection of mammalian cells.
Mycoplasma infection was detected in cultures of COS cells with a novel, simple assay that detects the conversion of arginine to citrulline by the enzyme, arginine deiminase, specific to all species of mycoplasma. Transfection of COS cells was inhibited in mycoplasma-infected cells, a phenomenon that was readily reversed by treatment with a mycoplasma removal agent. Cultures of cells used for transfection should be regularly monitored for evidence of mycoplasma by assay of arginine deiminase activity or by other methods.
Xia
H
H
Department of Anesthesia, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0542, USA.
Fitzgerald
J
J
Bredt
D S
DS
Forsayeth
J R
JR
D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells / Q000382:microbiology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002956:Citrulline / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007211:Indoles; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014162:Transfection
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; D002956:Citrulline; C007293:DAPI; D006867:Hydrolases; C019723:arginine deiminase