Isozyme polymorphisms in human diploid cell strains for research on cellular aging.

Six human lung diploid cell strains established for the study of in vitro cellular aging (TIG-1, TIG-7, WI-38, IMR-90, MRC-5, MRC-9, and HeLa cells as a control) were studied by cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis for allozymic differences at 18 enzyme loci. Eight enzyme loci (G6PD, PGM1, PGM3, PepA, PGD, ADA, GLO1, and ME), proved to be informative in establishing unique allozyme genetic signatures for all of the cell strains established from the same species and from the same organ. Changes in the allozyme genetic signatures were not observed throughout the life span of TIG-1 and MRC-9 cells. The allozyme genetic signatures can be used as a quick monitor of cell identification and intraspecific cell contamination.