Density dependent regulation of growth in L cell suspension cultures. III. Elevation of specific activity of acetylcholinesterase

High density L cell suspension cultures were previously shown to remain viable for indefinite periods of time and to exhibit marked inhibition of DNA synthesis and mitosis while the fraction of total protein synthesis represented by collagen is increased. The present study demonstrates that regulation in this system extends to the activity of acetylcholinesterase found to be approximately 100‐fold greater in the high density populations than in low density exponentially growing cultures. Kinetic studies of the increase of the activity, its fluctuation over an extended period of time and its decrease upon resumption of exponential growth after dilution of the cultures were performed. The data obtained indicate that the enzyme does not accumulate in high density populations merely as a result of the absence of net protein synthesis and cell division but that changes of its rates of synthesis and possibly degradation are involved. The expression of regulated acetylcholinesterase activity in a cell line of connective tissue origin is considered in relation to phenotype reprogramming and to cell membrane associated growth control mechanisms.