Cyclic AMP mediated morphological changes in a hybrid cell line

A hybrid cell line (PCM 3) obtained from a fusion between Chinese hamster fibroblasts and a mamalignant lymphoma has the unusual property of converting from a monolayer of flat spindle-shaped cells to one of spherical cells on treatment with agents which elevate intracellular cAMP. This dose dependent changes is not accompanied by a loss of adhesion and is enhanced by phosphodiesterase inhibitors. The morphological change has been found to be energy dependent and is similar to that induced by cytochalasin B, although the changes has been found to be energy dependent and is similar to that induced by cytochalasin B, although the changes in plasma membrane proteins are not of a similar nature. Furthermore, it has been shown that specific serum factors can inhibit this cAMP induced cell rounding.