Observations on the Chromosomes of Chinese Hamster Cells in Tissue Culture2

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Serial studies have been made on the chromosomal complement of 4 cell lines derived from the lungs of healthy normal Chinese hamsters and maintained in tissue culture for 3 to 14 months. In the early days of in vitro life, the cell lines were characterized by a diploid chromosomal complement, but metaphases with an approximately tetraploid number soon appeared. When diploid cells became a minority, there were usually significant numbers of approximately triploid and more-than-tetraploid metaphases. Detailed chromosomal analysis revealed abnormalities in cells which, to superficial examination, would have been classed as diploid. Particular patterns of extra chromosomes, absent chromosomes, functioning half chromosomes, and aberrant chromosomes characterized 2 of the cell lines and also a methylcholanthrene-treated subline of 1 of them.