The effect of a mutagen (N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine) on cultured cells from adult Schistosoma japonicum

The transforming effect of N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) on cultured cells from Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) was studied using mono-factor and orthogonal tests. Under the influence of MNNG, cultured cells grew well, and cell survival time was more than 246 days in low-serum medium. When treated with 3 mu g/ml MNNG for 48 h, the number of dividing cells increased significantly as determined by bright-field and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Under these conditions, abundant microvilli, ruffles, microridges, papillae and blebs were observed on the surface of the induced cells. Treatment with MNNG may overcome existing limitations to get continually proliferating schistosome cells and open the possibility to immortalize isolated cells.