ACTION OF BACTERIAL NEUTRAL PROTEASE ON DISPERSION OF MAMMALIAN-CELLS IN TISSUE-CULTURE

Abstract

The effect of a bacterial neutral protease (BNP) on cultured cells was examined with special reference to its activity on cell detachment from glass surfaces, dissociation into single cells and the inhibition of cell proliferation. Fibroblasts of strains of L-929 (mouse), and CHO-K1 (hamster ovary), and epithelial cells of strains HeLa-S3 (human cervical carcinoma), JTC-16 and RLC-10(2) were employed. Fibroblasts were detached and dissociated when BNP was added to minimum essential medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum. The epithelial cells were detached but were scarcely dissociated. Kinetic data were obtained concerning the dispersing characteristics of BNP together with aspects on the differences between epithelial cells and fibroblasts in the nature of cell to cell, and cell to substrate interactions.