title: Detection of mycoplasma infection of mammalian cells.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0542, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bredt
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Forsayeth
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; D002956:Citrulline; C007293:DAPI; D006867:Hydrolases; C019723:arginine deiminase