Cytogenetic characterization and DNA content analysis of Ad 2-transformed rat embryo brain cells

An adenovirus type 2-transformed rat embryo brain cell line (F 17 A2AS) and two of its subclones (F 17 CI, F 17 C2) have been studied using chromosome banding and flow cytometric techniques. In determining the modal chromosome number, a bimodal distribution was observed in each of the cell lines. In each case the first numerical mode fell in the hypertriploid or hypotetraploid range while the second represented a mode in the hypertetraploid range. Analysis of Giemsa-banded karyotypes revealed the presence of several marker chromosomes. In most cases the origins of the markers could be established from their characteristics Giemsa-banding patterns. In particular, chromosome 2 was involved in the formation of several marker chromosomes. The DNA content analysis confirmed the bimodal chromosome distribution with values in the near tetraploid and near pentaploid range for each cell line.