[The surface topography of the NIH 3T3 line in proliferating and resting states]

The surface topography of resting (serum-deprived) and proliferating (serum-stimulated) NIH 3T3 monolayer cell cultures has been examined by scanning electron microscopy. During G1 and S periods of the cell cycle the cells exhibited well pronounced surface microvilli localized mainly in the perinuclear zone, whereas serum deprivation led to a relatively smooth surface with few microvilli. The observed differences are not likely to be associated with the degree of cell spreading over the substrate, rather reflecting metabolic peculiarities of proliferating and resting cells.