GROWTH STIMULATION OF SV3T3 CELLS BY TRANSFERRIN AND ITS DEPENDENCE ON BIOTIN

A critical nutrient for the growth of SV3T3 (SV-40 transformed mouse embryo fibroblasts) cells is Fe. Fe must be added in the ferrous form or, if in the ferric state, with a suitable complexing agent. Both transferrin and Hb, as Fe complexes, will stimulate cell growth in biotin supplemented medium either with low serum (0.15% vol/vol) or serum-free. The growth stimulation by Fe (free or in complexed form) is dependent on the presence of biotin in the medium. The importance of transferrin as a serum growth factor was indicated.