Effect of Wheat Germ Lipase on Human Cells Transformed in vitro By Simian Virus 40

Summary Selective inhibition by preparations of wheat-germ lipase (WGL) was demonstrated for human cells transformed in vitro by SV40. This inhibition was reflected in the number and size of colonies formed, as well as in total cell growth, in a medium containing 0.01% of WGL. The presence of WGL in the medium of SV40-infected human diploid cells failed, however, to delay or inhibit the formation of transformed cell centers. Cells transformed in medium containing WGL appeared to multiply no less than control transformed cells during the first 4 weeks after transformation. They then began to clump, and to reveal reduced growth capabilities which led to early death of the cultures. The inhibitory action of WGL on transformed cells was not destroyed by heating the preparation at 60°C, a procedure which inactivated its esterase activity for triacetin.