1. The effect of a reduction of calcium and magnesium on a tissue-cultured strain of mouse lymphoblasts (MB III) has been studied by growing the cells on glass and in free suspension, in agitated fluid, in a medium consisting of a mixture of serum and embryo extract previously treated with an ion exchange resin and then diluted with a salt solution lacking or reduced in calcium or magnesium.

  2. The growth rate was found to be virtually unaffected by reduction in calcium concentration unless the calcium was at a very low value, about 2 per cent of normal. Reduction in calcium changed the shape of these cells from a predominantly round form to a predominantly spindle form. This change was reversible.

  3. Similar studies on the magnesium requirements demonstrated a considerable change in growth rate when the magnesium concentration was reduced to 20 per cent of normal. Cultures growing in reduced magnesium showed a high proportion of giant cells.

This content is only available via PDF.
©1958 American Association for Cancer Research.
1958
Cancer Research, Inc.