METABOLIC CONSEQUENCES OF MYCOPLASMAL CONTAMINATION OF CELL CULTURES

Abstract

KB cells originally derived from epithcloid carcinoma of the nasopharynx were found to be contaminated with mycoplasma . The contaminated cells showed significantly higher glycolytic (FMP) and respiratory (TCA ) rates when compared with non-contaminate d or 'cured' cells. The activity of the hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt, an alternative pathway of glucose metabolism, was shown to be reasonably higher than normal KB cell levels. Treatment involving combination of heat (41°C) a n d kanamycin (350 jig/cm*) for 21 hours was found to adequately and selectively inactivate the mycoplasma population. Following cure , the metabolism of the cells fell well within normal ranges. The treatment showed no deleterious effects on the KB cell population. The possibility a n d the significance of an independent hexose monophosphate shunt activity in the mycoplasma population in addition to the already established partial TCA and BMP activities, and the overall significance of detection of carbohydrate metabolism in these organisms, are discussed.