Abstract
Nitrilotriacetate (NTA), N(CH2COOH)3, asynthetic aminopolycarboxylic acid chelator, binds iron and forms Fe-NTA complex. This complex enhanced colony formation of various types of cultured cells. In addition, Fe-NTA stimulated proliferation of cells in mass cultures. NTA alone had no enhancing effects on cell growth. These results indicate that Fe-NTA may be employed as a substitute for Fe-transferrin as an iron donor to cells. The use of Fe-NTA would thus make it possible to reduce the serum concentrations employed in commonly used culture media.
