Evaluation of Flood Removal in Combination with Insecticide Seed Treatment for Rice Water Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Larval Management in Rice.

An experiment was conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS during 2017 and 2018 to determine whether removal of the flood is an economical method of control for rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel. This experiment compared a continuous flood production system to draining a rice field completely and reestablishing a flood for the remainder of the growing season. In addition, two insecticide seed treatments, thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole, were compared with an untreated control within each system. Rice water weevil densities were measured prior to draining at 3 wk after flood and again after the flood was reestablished in drained plots. Rice water weevil densities were greater in 2017 than 2018. Chlorantraniliprole at the predrainage and postdrainage sample timing reduced larval numbers compared with the untreated control. The plots where water was removed until soil cracking then re-flooded had significantly lower weevil populations than plots that were continuously flooded during 2018 only. Draining of plots resulted in lower yields in 2018, but not in 2017. Additionally, both of the insecticide seed treatments resulted in greater yields and economic returns than the untreated control. Draining of flooded rice when rice water weevil larvae were present did not provide a consistent benefit, and may result in yield and economic penalties. Insecticide seed treatments consistently provided greater yield benefits in flooded rice. Based on these results, draining of flooded rice is not recommended to manage rice water weevil and insecticide seed treatments should be used to minimize economic losses.

Effects of Cultivars and Fungicides on Rice Sheath Blight, Yield, and Quality.

The development of sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani)-resistant rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars will allow producers to use less fungicide and to avoid significant reductions in grain and milling yields. Among cultivars currently in cultivation in the southern United States rice-producing region, sheath blight resistance levels range from very susceptible to moderately susceptible. A study was conducted to determine the response of cultivars with different levels of susceptibility to sheath blight inoculations and fungicide applications and to determine the impact of sheath blight disease development on rice yield and quality. Sheath blight epidemics in field plots were initiated by inoculation at the panicle differentiation growth stage from 2003 through 2005. Azoxystrobin at 0.17 kg a.i. ha-1 and flutolanil at 0.56 kg a.i. ha-1 were applied in sequential applications at midboot and 50 to 70% heading. Inoculation significantly increased sheath blight severity and incidence and caused yield losses of 4% in moderately susceptible cv. Francis to 21% in very susceptible cv. Cocodrie. Milling yield was affected to a lesser extent. Fungicide treatments reduced sheath blight incidence and severity regardless of cultivar. Azoxystrobin was more effective than flutolanil in minimizing yield loss due to sheath blight in all cultivars except Francis.

Initiation of Rice Sheath Blight Epidemics and Effect of Application Timing of Azoxystrobin on Disease Incidence, Severity, Yield, and Milling Quality.

The lack of sheath blight-resistant cultivars requires rice (Oryza sativa) farmers to use fungicides to control the disease and avoid significant reductions in grain and milling yield. Sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) epidemics can begin over a period of weeks during the growing season, and initiation date can have significant effects on crop damage and fungicide application timing. Studies were conducted to determine how different epidemic initiation and azoxystrobin application timings affect disease development, rice yield, and milling quality. Sheath blight epidemics in field plots were initiated by inoculation at the green ring (GR), panicle differentiation (PD), early boot (EB), and late boot (LB) growth stages in 2002 to 2004. Azoxystrobin was applied to the foliage at 0.17 kg a.i. ha-1 at 7 days after PD (PD+7), midboot (B), and 50% heading (H). Inoculation significantly increased sheath blight severity and incidence and reduced yield and milling quality. There were no significant effects of inoculation timing at the GR, PD, EB, and LB growth stages. Fungicide applications made between PD+7 and H reduced sheath blight severity and incidence, resulting in higher yield and head rice milling yield compared with inoculated but nonsprayed plots.

Insights into the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of 1,3-butadiene.

1,3 Butadiene (BD) is a colorless gas used in the production of synthetic rubber and plastics. BD is carcinogenic in rats and mice, however, there are striking species differences in cancer potency and spectrum of tumors, with mice being more susceptible to tumor induction than rats. Epidemiology studies suggest an excess incidence of leukemia in workers in the styrene-butadiene rubber industry. Consideration of mechanisms of BD carcinogenicity can provide insights into differences in cancer potency between rodents and serve to elucidate the extent to which BD exposure may cause cancer in humans. Mechanistic research in the areas of biochemical toxicology, molecular biology, molecular dosimetry, and susceptibility factors can impact BD cancer risk assessment for humans. This research has focused on quantitating species differences in the metabolism of BD and BD epoxides, defining molecular lesions produced by BD epoxides, identifying biomarkers for BD exposure to explore metabolic pathways in humans, and determining potential risk factors for sensitive subpopulations. BD is activated by P450 isozymes, including CYP2E1, to at least two genotoxic metabolites, epoxybutene (EB) and diepoxybutane (DEB). Dosimetry data from several laboratories on EB and DEB following inhalation exposure to BD indicate that blood concentrations of EB were four-eight-fold higher in mice compared with rats and that blood concentrations of DEB were 25-100-fold higher in mice than in rats. The higher levels of these two DNA-reactive metabolites in mice compared with rats probably contribute to the species differences in carcinogenic effects of BD between mice and rats. In vitro metabolism studies of BD in rats, mice, and human tissues indicate that there are significant quantitative species differences in the metabolic activation of BD to EB and DEB and the detoxication of EB and DEB. Activation/detoxication ratios calculated using in vitro kinetic constants reveal that ratios in mice were greater than in both rats and humans. In vitro data are consistent with in vivo dosimetry data and cancer potency for rodents, and suggest that humans may be at a decreased risk. Data on mutagenicity and mutational spectra of BD epoxides show mechanistic differences between EB- and DEB-induced mutational events suggesting involvement of DEB in the development of cancer. Concentrations of DEB that are genotoxic in vitro are within the range of concentrations measured in mice in vivo, whereas concentrations of EB that are genotoxic in vitro are ten-100-fold greater than concentrations observed in vivo. Characterization of molecular events indicate that EB-induced genotoxicity is due to point mutations and small deletions, while DEB induces point mutations, small deletions, and large-scale deletions involving many base pairs. The extent to which epoxybutanediol is involved in BD carcinogenesis is not known. Molecular dosimetry studies in rodents and humans have focused on urinary metabolites and DNA and hemoglobin adducts. Data from these studies are consistent with in vivo and in vitro metabolism data providing further support for the differences in metabolic activation and deactivation of BD and BD epoxides across species and the role of DEB in tumor development. Research on potential susceptibility factors points to other P450 isozymes, in addition to CYP2E1, that are involved in both the metabolic activation and mutagenicity of BD. Taken together, mechanistic data on BD toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics provide an integrated insight into critical steps in initiation of cancer, metabolites responsible for cancer, sensitive biomarkers for exposure, and potential risk factors for individual susceptibility. Available evidence suggests that BD is unlikely to be a human carcinogen at the low exposure concentrations currently encountered in the environment or workplace.

One-step etch/primer for bracket bonding.

A single step etch/primer that can be used for bonding orthodontic brackets with virtually any light polymerized resin-based composite bracket adhesive material that has been introduced. Clinical trials have shown it to be especially useful in re-bonding detached metallic or ceramic brackets, and for bonding brackets to fluorosed enamel. This technique report describes the PROMPT L-POP* system and demonstrates its use.

Sites and mechanisms for uptake of gases and vapors in the respiratory tract.

Inhalation is a common route by which individuals are exposed to toxicants. The air contains a multitude of gases and vapors that are brought into the respiratory tract with each breath. Depending upon the physical and chemical characteristics of the toxicant, the respiratory tract can be considered as a target organ in addition to a portal of entry. Sufficient information is not always available on the fate or effects of an inhaled gas or vapor. Two physiochemical principles, water solubility and reactivity, can be used to predict the site of uptake of gases and vapors in the respiratory tract and potential mechanisms for reaction with respiratory tract tissue and absorption into the blood. Four model compounds, formaldehyde, ozone, dibasic esters, and butadiene are discussed as examples of how knowledge of aqueous solubility and chemical reactivity can help toxicologists predict sites and mechanisms by which inhaled gases and vapors interact with respiratory tract tissues.

Transcriptional down-regulation of the retinoblastoma protein is associated with differentiation and apoptosis in human colorectal epithelial cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of Rb protein expression in relation to increased differentiation and induction of apoptosis in colonic epithelial cells. In vivo, Rb protein expression was found to be down-regulated towards the top of the normal colonic crypt, coincident with the region of differentiation and apoptosis, but highly expressed in colonic carcinoma tissue. Using in vitro models to study the regulation of Rb expression in pre-malignant colonic epithelial cells, we have been able to show for the first time that Rb protein expression is transcriptionally down-regulated in differentiated pre-malignant cells (in post-confluent cultures) but not in malignant colorectal epithelial cells. Furthermore, suppression of rb protein function by the HPV-E7 viral oncoprotein increased both spontaneous and DNA damage-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that Rb is able to act as a survival factor in colonic epithelial cells by suppressing apoptosis, and that over-expression of pRb in colorectal tumour cells can cause a loss of sensitivity to apoptotic signalling, resulting in aberrant cell survival and resistance to therapy.

Evidence for a telomere-independent "clock" limiting RAS oncogene-driven proliferation of human thyroid epithelial cells.

An initiating role for RAS oncogene mutation in several epithelial cancers is supported by its high incidence in early-stage tumors and its ability to induce proliferation in the corresponding normal cells in vitro. Using retroviral transduction of thyroid epithelial cells as a model we ask here: (i) how mutant RAS can induce long-term proliferation in an epithelial cell in contrast to the premature senescence observed in fibroblasts; and (ii) what is the "clock" which eventually triggers spontaneous growth arrest even in epithelial clones generated by mutant RAS. The early response to RAS activation in thyroid epithelial cells showed two features not seen in fibroblasts: (i) a marked decrease in expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) p27(kip1) and (ii) the absence of any induction of p21(waf1). When proliferation eventually ceased (after up to 20 population doublings) this occurred despite undiminished expression of mutant RAS and was tightly correlated with a return to the initial high level of p27(kip1) expression, together with the de novo appearance of p16(ink4a). Importantly, neither the CDKI changes nor the proliferative life span of RAS-induced epithelial clones was altered by induction of telomerase activity through forced expression of the catalytic subunit, hTERT, at levels sufficient to immortalize human fibroblasts. These data provide a basis for cell-type differences in sensitivity to RAS-induced proliferation which may explain the corresponding tumor-type specificity of RAS mutation. They also show for the first time in a primary human cell model that a telomere-independent mechanism can limit not only physiological but also oncogene-driven proliferation, pointing therefore to a tumour suppressor mechanism additional, or alternative, to the telomere clock.

Posttranslational modifications of p53 in replicative senescence overlapping but distinct from those induced by DNA damage.

Replicative senescence in human fibroblasts is absolutely dependent on the function of the phosphoprotein p53 and correlates with activation of p53-dependent transcription. However, no evidence for posttranslational modification of p53 in senescence has been presented, raising the possibility that changes in transcriptional activity result from upregulation of a coactivator. Using a series of antibodies with phosphorylation-sensitive epitopes, we now show that senescence is associated with major changes at putative regulatory sites in the N and C termini of p53 consistent with increased phosphorylation at serine-15, threonine-18, and serine-376 and decreased phosphorylation at serine-392. Ionizing and UV radiation generated overlapping but distinct profiles of response, with increased serine-15 phosphorylation being the only common change. These results support a direct role for p53 in signaling replicative senescence and are consistent with the generation by telomere erosion of a signal which shares some but not all of the features of DNA double-strand breaks.

Effects of a thirteen-week inhalation exposure to ethyl tertiary butyl ether on fischer-344 rats and CD-1 mice.

The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments require that oxygenates be added to automotive fuels to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. One potential oxygenate is the aliphatic ether ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE). Our objective was to provide data on the potential toxic effects of ETBE. Male and female Fisher 344 rats and CD-1 mice were exposed to 0 (control), 500, 1750, or 5000 ppm of ETBE for 6 h/day and 5 days/wk over a 13-week period. ETBE exposure had no effect on mortality and body weight with the exception of an increase in body weights of the female rats in the 5000-ppm group. No major changes in clinical pathology parameters were noted for either rats or mice exposed to ETBE for 6 (rats only) or 13 weeks. Liver weights increased with increasing ETBE-exposure concentration for both sexes of rats and mice. Increases in kidney, adrenal, and heart (females only) weights were noted in rats. Degenerative changes in testicular seminiferous tubules were observed in male rats exposed to 1750 and 5000 ppm but were not seen in mice. This testicular lesion has not been reported previously for aliphatic ethers. Increases in the incidence of regenerative foci, rates of renal cell proliferation, and alpha2u-globulin containing protein droplets were noted in the kidneys of all treated male rats. These lesions are associated with the male rat-specific syndrome of alpha2u-globulin nephropathy. Increases in the incidence of centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy and rates of hepatocyte cell proliferation were seen in the livers of male and female mice in the 5000-ppm group, consistent with a mitogenic response to ETBE. These two target organs for ETBE toxicity, mouse liver and male rat kidney, have also been reported for methyl tertiary butyl ether and unleaded gasoline.

p53-Dependent growth arrest and altered p53-immunoreactivity following metabolic labelling with 32P ortho-phosphate in human fibroblasts.

The tumour suppressor gene p53 plays a major role in the cellular response to DNA damage, mediating growth arrest and/or apoptosis. Phosphorylation of the protein occurs at numerous sites in vivo and is likely to be a major mechanism for modulation of its activity as a transcriptional transactivator. Not surprisingly, therefore, p53 has been intensively studied by 32P metabolic labelling. Here we show however, using normal human fibroblasts, that typical labelling conditions induce (i) a p53-dependent inhibition of DNA synthesis and (ii) an increase in the cellular content of p53 protein detectable by the phosphorylation-sensitive antibody DO-1 but not by antibody DO-12. These data demonstrate for the first time that 32P labelling is sufficient to induce a biologically-significant, p53-mediated cellular response and strongly suggest that it perturbs the phosphorylation state of p53 which it is being used to measure. This highlights the need to re-evaluate earlier data by non-radioactive approaches using phospho-specific antibodies.

Quantitative and qualitative differences in the metabolism of 14C-1,3-butadiene in rats and mice: relevance to cancer susceptibility.

1,3-Butadiene (butadiene) is a potent carcinogen in mice, but not in rats. Metabolic studies may provide an explanation of these species differences and their relevance to humans. Male Sprague-Dawley rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed for 6 h to 200 ppm [2,3-14C]-butadiene (specific radioactivity [sa] 20 mCi/mmol) in a Cannon nose-only system. Radioactivity in urine, feces, exhaled volatiles and 14C-CO2 were measured during and up to 42 h after exposure. The total uptake of butadiene by rats and mice under these experimental conditions was 0.19 and 0.38 mmol (equivalent to 3.8 and 7.5 mCi) per kg body weight, respectively. In the rat, 40% of the recovered radioactivity was exhaled as 14C-CO2, 70% of which was trapped during the 6-h exposure period. In contrast, only 6% was exhaled as 14C-CO2 by mice, 3% during the 6-h exposure and 97% in the 42 h following cessation of exposure. The formation of 14C-CO2 from [2,3-14C]-labeled butadiene indicated a ready biodegradability of butadiene. Radioactivity excreted in urine accounted for 42% of the recovered radioactivity from rats and 71% from mice. Small amounts of radioactivity were recovered in feces, exhaled volatiles and carcasses. Although there was a large measure of commonality, the exposure to butadiene also led to the formation of different metabolites in rats and mice. These metabolites were not found after administration of [4-14C]-1,2-epoxy-3-butene to animals by i.p. injection. The results show that the species differences in the metabolism of butadiene are not simply confined to the quantitative formation of epoxides, but also reflect a species-dependent selection of metabolic pathways. No metabolites other than those formed via an epoxide intermediate were identified in the urine of rats or mice after exposure to 14C-butadiene. These findings may have relevance for the prediction of butadiene toxicity and provide a basis for a revision of the existing physiologically based pharmacokinetic models.

Control of replicative life span in human cells: barriers to clonal expansion intermediate between M1 senescence and M2 crisis.

The accumulation of genetic abnormalities in a developing tumor is driven, at least in part, by the need to overcome inherent restraints on the replicative life span of human cells, two of which-senescence (M1) and crisis (M2)-have been well characterized. Here we describe additional barriers to clonal expansion (Mint) intermediate between M1 and M2, revealed by abrogation of tumor-suppressor gene (TSG) pathways by individual human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) proteins. In human fibroblasts, abrogation of p53 function by HPVE6 allowed escape from M1, followed up to 20 population doublings (PD) later by a second viable proliferation arrest state, MintE6, closely resembling M1. This occurred despite abrogation of p21(WAF1) induction but was associated with and potentially mediated by a further approximately 3-fold increase in p16(INK4a) expression compared to its level at M1. Expression of HPVE7, which targets pRb (and p21(WAF1)), also permitted clonal expansion, but this was limited predominantly by increasing cell death, resulting in a MintE7 phenotype similar to M2 but occurring after fewer PD. This was associated with, and at least partly due to, an increase in nuclear p53 content and activity, not seen in younger cells expressing E7. In a different cell type, thyroid epithelium, E7 also allowed clonal expansion terminating in a similar state to MintE7 in fibroblasts. In contrast, however, there was no evidence for a p53-regulated pathway; E6 was without effect, and the increases in p21(WAF1) expression at M1 and MintE7 were p53 independent. These data provide a model for clonal evolution by successive TSG inactivation and suggest that cell type diversity in life span regulation may determine the pattern of gene mutation in the corresponding tumors.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma oncogene (RET/PTC) alters the nuclear envelope and chromatin structure.

Current evidence suggests the papillary thyroid carcinoma oncogene (RET/PTC) generates papillary thyroid carcinomas in one genetic step. We tested a resulting prediction that RET/PTC expression in thyroid epithelium should be sufficient to cause the changes in nuclear morphology diagnostic of this tumor. Primary cultures of human thyroid epithelial cells were infected with a RET/PTC retroviral construct. Morphological scoring by two independent cytopathologists shows RET/PTC expression by immunohistochemistry to be highly associated (p << 0.0001) with an irregular nuclear contour and a euchromatic appearance compared with non-expressing cells in the same cultures. The altered nuclear morphology is not due to gene transfer or transformation per se as primary thyroid cell cultures infected with a retroviral H-RAS construct differ from RET/PTC-infected cells by showing round nuclear envelopes and coarser chromatin, as determined by the independent scoring of two cytopathologists (p << 0.0001). In addition, RET/ PTC-transfected cells appear to disperse, whereas RAS-transfected cells grow as discrete colonies. The results provide additional support for the hypothesis that RET/PTC is sufficient to cause papillary thyroid carcinomas. A signaling pathway downstream of RET/ PTC leads to restructuring of the nuclear envelope and chromatin, and the signal does not depend entirely, if at all, on a RAS pathway.

Differential white cell count after two bouts of downhill running.

The purpose of this study was to compare blood markers associated with eccentrically biased exercise and muscle damage, after two bouts of downhill running. Nine active, untrained males performed 2 x 45 min bouts of downhill running (-0.16 radians), at a speed that would elicit 70% of each subjects VO2max, on a level grade; runs were spaced 14d apart (RUN1, RUN2). Blood samples were obtained before, after, and every hour for 12 h after exercise, as well as every 24 h for 5 d, to assess numbers of circulating neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes, serum cortisol, creatine kinase (CK); subjective sensations of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were monitored. To control for diurnal variation, two weeks prior to the RUN1, subjects had blood draws performed at the same time as would occur after exercise, but did no exercise (CONTROL). During the 5 d after exercise, DOMS and CK were significantly greater (p < 0.05) after RUN1 compared to RUN2 and CONTROL. During the 12 h after RUN1 and RUN2, neutrophils showed similar responses compared to CONTROL. However, neutrophils were significantly elevated at 96 h after RUN1 and 24 h after RUN2. Monocytes were significantly elevated during 5-11 h after RUN1 and RUN2, compared to CONTROL. Cortisol showed a similar significant diurnal decrease for all three conditions during the 12 h following exercise. The significantly lower levels of CK and DOMS seen after RUN2, compared with the initial run is consistent with the literature. The similar changes in neutrophils and monocytes during the 12 h following RUN1 and RUN2, followed by disparate responses over the subsequent 5 d, requires further investigation.

Induction of cell death by stimulation of protein kinase C in human epithelial cells expressing a mutant ras oncogene: a potential therapeutic target.

Ras oncogene activation is a key genetic event in several types of human cancer, making its signal pathways an ideal target for novel therapies. We previously showed that expression of mutant ras sensitizes human thyroid epithelial cells to induction of cell death by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and other phorbol esters. We have now investigated further the nature and mechanism of this cell death using both primary and cell line models. The cytotoxic effect of PMA could be blocked by bisindolylmaleimide (GF 109203X), a well-characterized inhibitor of c and n protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, and by prior down-regulation of PKC, indicating that it is mediated by acute stimulation, rather than down-regulation. Western analysis identified two candidate isoforms--alpha and epsilon--both of which showed PMA-induced subcellular translocation, either or both of which may be necessary for PMA-induced cell death. Immunofluorescence showed that PMA induced a rapid nuclear translocation of p42 MAP kinase of similar magnitude in the presence or absence of mutant ras expression. Cell death exhibited the microscopic features (chromatin condensation, TdT labelling) and DNA fragmentation typical of apoptosis but after a surprising lag (4 days). Taken together with recent models of ras-modulated apoptosis, our data suggest that activation of the MAPK pathway by PMA tips the balance of pro- and anti-apoptotic signals generated by ras in favour of apoptosis. The high frequency of ras mutations in some cancers, such as cancer of the pancreas, which are refractory to conventional chemotherapy, together with the potential for stimulating PKC by cell-permeant pharmacological agents, makes this an attractive therapeutic approach.

Epoxybutene-hemoglobin adducts in rats and mice: dose response for formation and persistence during and following long-term low-level exposure to butadiene.

Measurement of specific adducts to hemoglobin can be used to establish the dosimetry of electrophilic compounds and metabolites in experimental animals and in humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dose response for adduct formation and persistence in rats and mice during long-term low-level exposure to butadiene by inhalation. Adducts of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene, the primary metabolite of butadiene, with N-terminal valine in hemoglobin were determined in male B6C3F1 mice and male Sprague-Dawley rats following exposure to 0, 2, 10, or 100 ppm of 1,3-butadiene, 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected from groups of five mice and three rats at the end of each week during the 4 weeks of exposure and weekly for 3 weeks following the end of the 4-week exposure period. The increase and decrease, respectively, of the adduct levels during and following the end of the 4-week exposure followed closely the theoretical curve for adduct accumulation and removal for rats and mice, thereby demonstrating that the adducts are chemically stable in vivo and that the elimination follows the turnover of the red blood cells. The adduct level increased linearly with butadiene exposure concentration in the mice, whereas a deviation from linearity was observed in the rats. For example, after exposure to 100 ppm butadiene, the epoxybutene-hemoglobin adduct levels were about four times higher in mice than in rats; at lower concentrations of butadiene, the species difference was less pronounced. Blood concentrations of epoxybutene, estimated from hemoglobin adduct levels, were in general agreement with reported concentrations in mice and rats exposed by inhalation to 62.5 ppm. These studies show that adducts of epoxybutene with N-terminal valine in hemoglobin can be used to predict blood concentration of epoxybutene in experimental animals.

Immortalized human pituitary cells express glycoprotein alpha-subunit and thyrotropin beta (TSH beta).

A major problem in the study of human pituitary cells is their lack of proliferative capacity in vitro. To address this issue, we have infected normal human, postmortem pituitary cells in monolayer culture with a temperature-sensitive (tsA58) mutant of SV40 large T antigen. Several epithelial-like colonies were isolated; and one, designated CHP2, has been studied in detail to identify its functional characteristics. CHP2 cells have undergone more than 150 culture passages and retain an epithelial morphology. They exhibit tight temperature-dependent growth, in the presence and absence of serum, with cell division at 33 C and growth inhibition at 39 C. CHP2 cells, at both temperatures, showed diffuse immunostaining for human alpha-subunit and focal staining for TSH beta. Gene expression was confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing. TRH and GnRH receptors were not detectable, and their absence was confirmed by their lack of effects on intracellular calcium and inositol phospholipids. Cytogenetic analysis showed that the cells had a modal peak in the diploid range and a smaller peak in the tetraploid range. There was also a consistent loss of chromosome 22 and a normal chromosome 2 homologue, the latter being replaced by one of two chromosome 2 markers, M2A or M2B. In conclusion, we have immortalized human pituitary cells using SV40 tsT, from which we have cloned a cell line expressing alpha-subunit and TSH beta.