A clonal cell line derived from a mouse neoplasm is described which shares many properties with smooth muscle. The cells have electrically excitable membranes capable of generating overshooting action potentials, and they contract both spontaneously and with electrical stimulation. They respond to the iontophoretic application of acetylcholine with a depolarizing response, and to norepinephrine with a hyperpolarizing response. Electron microscopy reveals that the cells have a morphology similar in many, but not all, respects to that of smooth muscle cells in vivo. The cells secrete soluble collagen-like molecules in addition to several proteins of undefined function. Finally, there is an increase in the specific activities of creatine phosphokinase and myokinase associated with increased cell density and the cessation of cell division.
Article|
May 01 1974
CHARACTERIZATION OF A UNIQUE MUSCLE CELL LINE
David Schubert,
David Schubert
From the Department of Neurobiology, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
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A. John Harris,
A. John Harris
From the Department of Neurobiology, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
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Carrick E. Devine,
Carrick E. Devine
From the Department of Neurobiology, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
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Stephen Heinemann
Stephen Heinemann
From the Department of Neurobiology, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
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David Schubert
From the Department of Neurobiology, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
A. John Harris
From the Department of Neurobiology, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
Carrick E. Devine
From the Department of Neurobiology, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
Stephen Heinemann
From the Department of Neurobiology, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
Received:
June 29 1973
Revision Received:
January 07 1974
Online ISSN: 1540-8140
Print ISSN: 0021-9525
Copyright © 1974 by The Rockefeller University Press
1974
J Cell Biol (1974) 61 (2): 398–413.
Article history
Received:
June 29 1973
Revision Received:
January 07 1974
Citation
David Schubert, A. John Harris, Carrick E. Devine, Stephen Heinemann; CHARACTERIZATION OF A UNIQUE MUSCLE CELL LINE . J Cell Biol 1 May 1974; 61 (2): 398–413. doi: https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.61.2.398
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