Transformation of Rabbit Proximal Tubule Cells by Strontium Phosphate Transfection with a Plasmid Containing SV4O Early Region Genes

In this study, it was investigated whether immortalized proximal tubule cells transformed with pRSVT could survive through the numerous passages. Results were as follows: 1. The cells transfected with pRSVT formed rapidly growing, multilayered colonies within 2 weeks in a hormone defined medium. Domes were also observed in some of the cultures. 2. r-glutamyl transpeptidase activity was equivalent to that observed in primary renal proximal tubule cell cultures. 3. Transformed cells with pRSVT form tubules in matrigel following 20 passages. 4. Genomic DNA of transformants was digested with either the restriction enzyme Xba or BamH1. A band of approximately 7.5kb was detected with Xba. Three BamH1 bands were detected at approximately 15 kb, 6.5 kb, and 3 kb.