Effects of DNA on the Formation of Cell Aggregate by a Microbial Hepatoma Aggregation Factor (HAF)

Abstract

Collageriase liberated DNA from HAF-induced aggregate of hepatoma AH109A cells with dispersion of the aggregate. The DNA was isolated from the aggregate by electrophoresis, and the effects of the DNA on the aggregation activity of HAF were examined. The DNA did not aggregate hepatoma AH109A cells, but it increased the cell number of the aggregate induced by HAF. These results suggest that the DNA from hepatoma AH109A cells is essential for formation of the HAF-induced aggregate and it provides adhesion among the cells of the aggregate.