Endogenous beta-galactosidase activity in continuously nonproliferating cells.
Cytochemically detectable activity of endogenous beta-galactosidase was found at pH 6.0 in Swiss 3T3 cells after long-term incubation in low serum or in the presence of heparin concentrations known to reversibly inhibit cell proliferation. A high percentage of beta-galactosidase-positive cells were detected in U937 and HL60 cultures at the late stage of macrophage-like differentiation induced by TPA. Interestingly, a small number of beta-galactosidase-positive cells were found even in the growing Swiss 3T3 cultures. These positive cells expressed morphological features similar to those of senescent cells. Thus, the activity of beta-galactosidase at pH 6.0 cannot be considered an exclusive marker of senescent cells since it is expressed in other types of nonproliferating cells.
Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilov Street, Moscow, 117984, Russia. yegorov@genome.eimb.rssi.ru
Y E
YE
Yegorov
S S
SS
Akimov
R
R
Hass
A V
AV
Zelenin
I A
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Prudovsky
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D051379:Mice; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism*
D001616:beta-Galactosidase