ISOENZYME ELECTROPHORESIS AND KARYOTYPE TECHNIQUES AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR CELL LINE IDENTITY CONFIRMATION

The use of cell culture in biomedical science has been constantly enhanced and the use of certified and microrganisms-free cell lines is indispensable. Due to the value and the difficulty of acquiring a commercially available kit (AuthentikitTM system) for our routine in addition with the purpose of monitoring and ensuring quality of provided cell lines, and also contributing with cell characterization, the Nucleo de Cultura de Celulas do Instituto Adolfo Lutz (NCC– AL) padronized two techniques to identify the animal species from which the cells were originated: isoenzyme electrophoresis and karyotype. Cell extracts from 14 different cell lines were run under horizontal electrophoresis in agarose gel and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme profile was revealed using tetrazolium salt. The number of bands and the migration distances between bands of cell lines were similar to the literature, but small adjustments were needed to assist in the visualization of the bands that were not visible. Cell flasks for karyotype were incubated with colcemid solution and modal values of each cell line were calculated. Comparing all the results obtained with those reported in the literature, we conclude that both methods are promising and will allow better control of the services provided by the laboratory, not to mention guaranteeing authenticated cell lines for research and diagnostics. DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.17525/vrr.v19i1.90