CULTURE OF CELLS FROM TISSUES OF ADULT AND LARVAL SEA LAMPREY

Methods were developed for the culture of cells derived from tissues o f the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). Cultures were initiated from g ill, liver, muscle and gut from larvae and newly transformed individua ls and brain, heart, kidney and ovary from sexually mature adults. The lamprey cells were viable for up to six months in culture and cells f rom ovary, muscle, gut, gill and liver were propagated for multiple pa ssages. For all cultures except liver, optimal cell attachment and spr eading was obtained on surfaces coated with fibronectin and collagen. Optimal liver cell attachment was achieved on basement membrane. Cells synthesizing DNA were detected by precursor incorporation in five wee k-old cultures derived from adult and larval tissues. Metabolic labeli ng experiments with [S-35]-methionine demonstrated that cultures initi ated from liver and ovary continued to synthesize and release proteins into the medium for several weeks. Ultrastructural examination reveal ed the presence of ciliated cells in cultures from brain and the accum ulation of lipid in epithelial cells derived from liver and gill.