Nomenclature
The '3T3' designation refers to the abbreviation of "3-day transfer, inoculum cells." This cell line was originally established from the primary mouse embryonic fibroblast cells that were cultured by the designated protocol, so-called '3T3 protocol'. The primary mouse embryonic fibroblast cells were transferred (the "T") every 3 days (the first "3"), and inoculated at the rigid density of cells per 20 cm2 dish (the second "3") continuously. The spontaneously immortalized cells with stable growth rate were established after 20 to 30 generations in culture, and then named '3T3' cells. Since then, several cell lines have been established with this procotol: *3T3-Swiss albino, the original 1962 cell line **3T3-J2, a subclone of 3T3-Swiss albino, commonly used as feeders for keratinocyte cultures **Characteristics
Swiss 3T3 can be inhibited by temazepam and other benzodiazepines. These cells are also contact inhibited. The cells are sensitive to sarcoma virus and leukemia virus focus formation. 3T3 cells can be transformed with SV40 and some other polyomaviruses.NIH 3T3 Cell Line Origins, Characteristics, Expression, and CytogeneticsCulture characteristics
Adherent cells grow as a monolayer. A confluent monolayer yields 40000 cells/cm2.Expression
Lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) induces AP-1 activity and c-jun N-terminal kinase activity (JNK1) by a protein kinase C-independent pathway.Cytogenetics
3T3 mouse cells are hypertriploid. The modal chromosome number is 68, which occurs in 30% of cells. Higher ploidies occur at a much lower rate of 2.4%.References
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