Derivation of a continuous myogenic cell culture from an embryo of common killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus.
The common killifish or mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) is an estuarine teleost increasingly used in comparative physiology, toxicology and embryology. Their ability to withstand extreme environmental conditions and ease of maintenance has made them popular aquatic research organisms. Scientific advances with most popular model organisms have been assisted with the availability of continuous cell lines; however, cell lines from F. heteroclitus appear to be unavailable. The development of a killifish cell line, KFE-5, derived from the mid trunk region of a late stage embryo is described here. KFE-5 grows well in Leibovitz's L-15 media with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). This cell line has been passaged over 60 times in a span of three years, and cells at various passages have been successfully cryopreserved and thawed. The cells are mostly fibroblastic but contain myogenic cells that differentiate into mono-, bi- and multi-nucleated striated myocytes. Immunofluorescence detection of muscle specific antigens such as α-actinin, desmin, and myosin confirms KFE-5 as a myogenic cell line. KFE-5 has a temperature preference for 26-28°C and has been shown to withstand temperatures up to 37°C. The cell line responds to chemical signals including growth factors, hormones and extracellular matrix components. KFE-5 could thus be useful not only for mummichog's thermobiology but also for studies in fish muscle physiology and development.
Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Sarah J
SJ
Gignac
Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Nguyen T K
NT
Vo
Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Michael S
MS
Mikhaeil
Department of Biology, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Canada.
J Andrew N
JA
Alexander
Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Deborah L
DL
MacLatchy
Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Patricia M
PM
Schulte
Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada; Department of Biology, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Canada. Electronic address: Lucy.Lee@ufv.ca.
Lucy E J
LE
Lee
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D023781:Fundulidae / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D032342:Muscle Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D024510:Muscle Development / Q000235:genetics*; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D013696:Temperature
Fish cell line; Fundulus heteroclitus; Killifish embryo; Myogenic cells; Striated muscle; Thermotolerance