Human normal and tumor cell lines: comparison of fibronectins and collagens

Human tumor cell lines, a rhabdomyosarcoma (RD), and a fibrosarcoma (HT-1080) were distinguished from normal human fibroblasts by tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice and immunosuppressed rats and hamsters, secretion of different types of collagen and procollagen molecules, and reduced amounts of fibronectin. The fibronectins secreted by both normal and tumor cells did not show any significant structural difference and were phosphorylated only on serine residue(s). However, fibronectin secreted by the tumor cells exhibited decreased electrophoretic mobility and was associated with as yet unidentified phosphorylated macromolecules.