Cloned mouse mammary cell lines requiring androgens for growth in culture.

Clonally derived cell lines have been established from the mouse mammary tumor Shionogi carcinoma 115. Physiological concentrations of androgens markedly increase the growth rate and saturation density of these clones. The cells fail to grow in 1% fetal bovine serum-supplemented medium, but addition of 10-50 nM androstanolone or testosterone results in resumption of exponential growth. Some other androgens, but not estrogens or progesterone, stimulate growth of these cells. Steroid receptors can be isolated from the cells. In addition to their effect on growth, androgens also cause a marked alteration in the cell and colony morphology of the clones.