Variants of 3T3 cells lacking mitogenic response to epidermal growth factor.

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) can serve as a potent mitogen for 3T3 cells. Variant 3T3 cell lines unable to respond to EGF were selected in order to define cellular events unique to the EGF response and to distinguish which of these events are necessary and which are merely correlative to mitogenesis. By simultaneously treating cells with EGF and colchicine, those cells stimulated by EGF to enter mitosis were eliminated. Of the 8 clonal EGF nonresponder variants selected by this procedure, none retains a functional EGF receptor. The EGF nonresponsive variant lines still retain the ability to respond to other mitogens.