DERIVATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A ZEBRAFISH LIVER-CELL LINE

ZF-L cells were derived from normal adult zebrafish liver, and have be en growing in culture for more than 100 generations. The cells were de rived in basal nutrient medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (F BS), trout serum, trout embryo extract, bovine insulin and mouse epide rmal growth factor. After 50 generations in culture, optimal growth of the cells was achieved in medium supplemented with FBS (5%) and trout serum (0.5%). ZF-L cells were hypodiploid (modal chromosome number = 46) and exhibited an epithelial morphology. ZF-L cell homogenates exhi bited alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, glucose-6-phosphatase an d alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities. The cells synthesized and re leased several proteins into the culture medium, including a 70 kDa pr otein recognized by anti-bovine serum albumin IgG.