Abstract
Normal embryonic rat cells incubated in serum-free medium accumulate in G1-phase of the cell cycle. On addition of a growth-stimulating protein isolated from fetal calf serum they are triggered to proceed through the cycle, and they resume DNA-synthesis 15 to 20 hours later. In this paper it is demonstrated that the surface membrane potential difference (PD) decreases immediately after changing serum-free medium against culture medium containing either calf serum or the isolated serum protein; the original PD is restored 2 to 3 hours later. Serumprotein without growthstimulating activity does not affect the PD. A permanent rat cell line which grows independently of serum also has been tested. The PD of these cells is not significantly influenced by calf serum.