Mitosis of Contact-Inhibited 3T3 Preadipocytes Precedes Chemically Induced Differentiation into Adipocytes

Abstract
The conversion of [mouse] 3T3 cells into adipocytes in vitro after pulsed exposure of confluent, nongrowing cultures to various combinations of the triggering agents, methylisobutylxanthine, dexamethasone and fetal calf serum. Conversion on nongrowing 3T3 preadipocytes into adipocytes takes place after the cells have been stimulated to undergo 1 round of cell division. Maximal cell division and cytodifferentiation occur only when all 3 triggering agents are present.