The loss of phenotypic traits by differentiated cells, V. The effect of 5-bromodeoxyuridine on cloned chondrocytes.

Abstract

A pure population of cartilage cells was obtained by individually culturing single [chick] chondrocytes. A single chon-drocyte may yield over 200 colonies. 5-Bromodeoxyuridine added to clonal plates transforms replicating polygonal, matrix-producing cells into exceedingly flattened, fibroblastic cells. Surface areas of transformed cells can be anywhere from 5 to 30 times greater than parental cells. The amount of chondroitin sulfate synthesized by BudR-transformed cells is less than 10 [degree]/o of isogenic control cells. The transformed cells continue to replicate. BudR-supressed chondrocytes have properties in common with dedifferentiated chondrocytes obtained by protracted culturing.