The differentiation of LS/A10 myoblast cell line (a subclone of L5 line) is controlled by changes of cultural conditions

We report here that it is possible to induce differentiation in a subline of L5 myoblast line (L5/A10) by manipulating the culture media. When L5/A10 myoblasts are cultured in F14 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum the cells grow with a division time of 12 h and reach confluency at a cell density of approximately 2.4 x 105 cells per cm2, without undergoing differentiation, characterized, morphologically, by formation of multinucleated fibers, and biochemically, by the synthesis of muscle specific proteins such as creatinine phosphokinase or myokinase. However, cells, grown in F14 + 10% fetal calf serum, will undergo regular differentiation after a limited number of division when transferred to F14 medium supplemented with limiting concentrations (1-2%) of fetal calf serum. Investigations of the biochemistry of myoblast differentiation in cell culture will be facilitated by the availability of a cell line that can undergo differentiation under controlled conditions.