SURFACE-STRUCTURE OF 7,12-DIMETHYLBENZ(A)ANTHRACENE TRANSFORMED C3H-10T1/2 CELLS - QUANTITATIVE SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPICAL STUDY

The mouse embryo fibroblast cells, termed C3H/10T 1 2, developed three types of morphologically altered foci after exposure to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene. The types III and II cells showed oncogenic potential, whereas the type I cells remained non-oncogenic. By scanning electron microscopy the concentration of short microvilli was found to increase with increasing cell culture passage for all three types. Only on types II and III cells were long microvilli observed. There was a significant correlation between the oncogenic potential and the presence of long microvilli. This observation may be of value in screening for oncogenic transformation of cells in culture. © 1979.