CORRELATION OF GROWTH-PROPERTIES AND MORPHOLOGY WITH HORMONE RESPONSIVENESS OF MAMMARY-TUMOR CELLS IN CULTURE

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (1) , 258-262
Abstract
Shionogi 115 mouse mammary carcinoma cells become androgen unresponsive after 2 wk of culture in the absence of testosterone, although androgen receptors are still present in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Androgen-responsive cells are fibroblastic in appearance, have a low serum requirement and can proliferate in suspension culture. Unresponsive cells show a flattened morphology, are serum sensitive and anchorage dependent. The loss of sensitivity may be caused by a postreceptor defect. The temporal relationships of changes in hormone responsiveness, morphology, serum sensitivity and growth properties were examined over 7 wk following removal of testosterone from Shionogi 115 cultures. Responses to testosterone and anchorage independence were lost over 1-2 wk while serum sensitivity increased more slowly during the same period. The most rapid and least reversible change was seen in morphology. Hormone responsiveness may be related to properties of the cytoskeleton and cell membrane which influence growth rates and multiple sensitivities of tumor cells.