Chromosomes of SV40 Transformed Human Amnion Cells After Mycoplasma Infection 1

Abstract

Summary

Concurrent mycoplasma-SV40 infection of cultures of primary amnion cells changed the chromosome picture of the resulting SV40 transformed cells. Chromosome numbers were maintained in the diploid range for a longer period, and most abnormalities were present at lower frequencies, especially during the later period of cultivation prior to “crisis.” Chromosome numbers and frequencies of abnormalities in the mycoplasma-modified cells were not reversed after mycoplasma elimination. However, a large telocentric chromosome was more frequent after mycoplasma elimination. The recovery of several post-“crisis” cell lines from a mycoplasma-modified SV40 transformed strain of cells may be correlated with the lower chromosome numbers and the fewer abnormalities.