Abstract
Two cell lines from the most important insect pest of cotton, Pectinophora gossypiella S., were obtained from and embryonic tissue culture. The cells were cultured in GRACE's modified medium. The first cell line, designated ORS-PgS (PgS), was obtained by selecting the non-adherent cells during subculturing and consisted of a homogeneous population of rounded cells. The second cell line, designated ORS-PgA (PgA), obtained without any artificial selection, was a heterogeneous population of spherical and spindle-shaped cells with a great capacity to adhere. The two cell lines had a doubling time of 40 and 48 h respectively and were sub-cultured for more than 50 passages. Their polypeptidic profiles appeared identical but were different from those of other lepidopteran cell lines tested. The two cell lines support the multiplication of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus, producing 105 plaque forming units/ml. In 1 to 2% PgS cells, polyhedra were synthesized, whereas PgA cells multiplied only virions.
