COS-1 Cells
















Overview of the COS-1 cell line
Description | COS-1 cells, a fibroblast-like cell line derived from African green monkey kidney tissue, have revolutionized the field of biological science since their development in 1981 by J.W.F. Cowell and colleagues. These cells offer an excellent platform for studying various aspects of cellular biology, including protein expression and protein-protein interactions. One of the critical advantages of COS-1 cells is their remarkable ability to express exogenous proteins, making them an invaluable tool for producing recombinant proteins and investigating protein-related phenomena. The constitutively active c-src gene and the presence of SV40's large T-antigen enhance translation efficiency, resulting in elevated levels of protein expression within these cells. Researchers have extensively utilized COS-1 cells to study the cytopathic effects of viruses and host cell responses to viral infections. COS-1 cells are susceptible to various viruses, including herpes simplex, vesicular stomatitis, and influenza A. This characteristic makes COS-1 cells an excellent model system for exploring viral pathogenesis, host cell responses, and the development of antiviral drugs. Furthermore, the COS-1 cell line has significantly contributed to our understanding of various biological mechanisms. Its popularity in molecular and cell biology research arises from its proficiency in expressing exogenous proteins and its permissiveness to different viral strains. These attributes allow scientists to delve into the intricate workings of cellular processes with precision and reliability. The COS cell lines are derived from the CV-1 cells, which originated from the kidney of the African green monkey. Through immortalization with a modified SV40 virus capable of producing large T antigen, the COS cells maintain their fibroblast-like morphology and inherit the beneficial properties of the SV40 genetic material. COS-1 and COS-7 are the most commonly used variants among the COS cell lines. Researchers frequently employ these cell lines when investigating the monkey virus SV40 and conducting molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology experiments. The COS-1 cells, in particular, exhibit remarkable potential for protein expression through transfection with an SV40 origin of replication. The large T antigen these genetically modified COS-1 cells produce allows for substantial images of introduced vectors, facilitating efficient recombinant protein production. COS-1 cells are pivotal in advancing our understanding of complex biological processes. With their origin in African green monkey kidney tissue and their fibroblast morphology, these cells provide a reliable and versatile platform for many scientific applications. Their extensive usage, as evidenced by over 1,400 product citations, underscores their significance in various research areas. As for practical considerations, COS-1 cells have a doubling time of approximately 48 hours, enabling efficient cell culture and experimental procedures. Additionally, these cells are categorized as animal cells and belong to the Cercopithecus aethiops organism, with the kidney as the origin tissue. COS-1 cells stand at the forefront of cutting-edge biological research, facilitating breakthroughs in our understanding of molecular and cellular processes. With their exceptional capacity for protein expression, susceptibility to viral infections, and significance in diverse fields of study, COS-1 cells remain a cornerstone of scientific inquiry. Researchers continue to leverage the remarkable properties of COS-1 cells to unravel the intricacies of biological mechanisms and pave the way for new advancements in physical science. |
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Organism | Cercopithecus aethiops (Green monkey) |
Tissue | Kidney |
Synonyms | Cos-1, COS 1, Cos 1, COS1, Cos1, CV-1 in Origin Simian-1 |
Features
Gender | Male |
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Morphology | Fibroblast |
Growth properties | Adherent |
Documentation about COS1 cells
Citation | COS-1 (Cytion catalog number 305005) |
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Biosafety level | 1 |
NCBI_TaxID | 9534 |
CellosaurusAccession | CVCL_0223 |
Expression / Mutation
Protein expression | T Antigen, This Is An African Green Monkey Kidney Fibroblast-Like Cell Line Suitable For Transfection By Vectors Requiring Expression Of Sv40 T Antigen. The Cells Are Ebna Negative, Negative For Fc Receptors And Negative For Complement Receptors. |
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Culturing methods
Culture Medium | DMEM, w: 4.5 g/L Glucose, w: 4 mM L-Glutamine, w: 3.7 g/L NaHCO3, w: 1.0 mM Sodium pyruvate (Cytion article number 820300a) |
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Supplements | Supplement the medium with 10% FBS |
Dissociation Reagent | Accutase |
Subculturing | Remove the old medium from the adherent cells and wash them with PBS that lacks calcium and magnesium. For T25 flasks, use 3-5 ml of PBS, and for T75 flasks, use 5-10 ml. Then, cover the cells completely with Accutase, using 1-2 ml for T25 flasks and 2.5 ml for T75 flasks. Let the cells incubate at room temperature for 8-10 minutes to detach them. After incubation, gently mix the cells with 10 ml of medium to resuspend them, then centrifuge at 300xg for 3 minutes. Discard the supernatant, resuspend the cells in fresh medium, and transfer them into new flasks that already contain fresh medium. |
Split ratio | 1:2 to 1:4 |
Fluid renewal | 2 to 3 times per week |
Freeze medium | As a cryopreservation medium, use complete growth medium (including FBS) + 10% DMSO for adequate post-thaw viability, or CM-1 (Cytion catalog number 800100), which includes optimized osmoprotectants and metabolic stabilizers to enhance recovery and reduce cryo-induced stress. |
Thawing and Culturing Cells |
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Quality control
Sterility | Mycoplasma contamination is excluded using both PCR-based assays and luminescence-based mycoplasma detection methods. To ensure there is no bacterial, fungal, or yeast contamination, cell cultures are subjected to daily visual inspections. |
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Required products
What sets DMEM apart from other media is its unique composition. It contains an impressive fourfold increase in amino acid and vitamin concentration compared to the original Eagle's Minimal Essential Medium. Initially developed with low glucose (1 g/L) and sodium pyruvate, DMEM is frequently employed with higher glucose levels, either with or without sodium pyruvate. Notably, DMEM does not contain proteins, lipids, or growth factors, necessitating supplementation. To achieve optimal growth, a common approach is to supplement DMEM with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS). Additionally, DMEM employs a sodium bicarbonate buffer system, requiring a 5-10% CO2 environment to maintain a physiological pH.
Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) is highly regarded among defined media for cell and tissue culture, catering to the growth needs of various adherent cell phenotypes. It surpasses the original Eagle's Medium, developed in the 1950s for cultivating chicken cells, through the enhanced supplementary formulation known as Dulbecco's modification. This modification significantly elevates the content of select amino acids and vitamins up to fourfold compared to the original medium.
In the field of cell culture, DMEM plays a vital role as a growth medium for different cell types, including primary cells, stem cells, and transformed cells. Researchers also employ the modified version of DMEM for a wide array of research applications, such as drug discovery, tissue engineering, and the study of cell signaling pathways.
Quality Control
Sterile-filtered
Storage and Shelf Life
Store at +2°C to +8°C, protected from light.
Once opened, store at 4°C and use within 6–8 weeks.
Shipping Conditions
Ambient temperature
Maintenance
Keep refrigerated at +2°C to +8°C in the dark. Avoid freezing and frequent warming to +37°C, as it reduces product quality.
Do not heat the medium beyond 37°C or use uncontrolled heat sources such as microwave appliances.
If only part of the medium is to be used, remove the required amount and warm it to room temperature before use.
Composition
Category
Components
Concentration (mg/L)
Amino Acids
Glycine
30.00
L-Arginine HCl
84.00
L-Cystine 2 HCl
62.57
L-Glutamine
584.00
L-Histidine HCl H2O
42.00
L-Isoleucine
105.00
L-Leucine
105.00
L-Lysine HCl
146.00
L-Methionine
30.00
L-Phenylalanine
66.00
L-Serine
42.00
L-Threonine
95.00
L-Tryptophan
16.00
L-Tyrosine 2 Na 2H2O
103.79
L-Valine
94.00
Vitamins
Choline chloride
4.00
D-Calcium Pantothenate
4.00
Folic Acid
4.00
myo-Inositol
7.20
Nicotinamide
4.00
Pyridoxal HCl
4.00
Riboflavin
0.40
Thiamine HCl
4.00
Inorganic Salts
CaCl2 2 H2O
265.00
Fe(NO3)3 9 H2O
0.10
KCl
400.00
MgSO4 7H2O
200.10
NaCl
6400.00
NaHCO3
3700.00
NaH2PO4 2H2O
141.73
Other Components
D-Glucose
4500.00
Phenol Red Sodium Salt
15.90
Sodium Pyruvate
110.00
- A Gentle Alternative to Trypsin
Accutase is a cell detachment solution that is revolutionizing the cell culture industry. It is a mix of proteolytic and collagenolytic enzymes that mimics the action of trypsin and collagenase. Unlike trypsin, Accutase does not contain any mammalian or bacterial components and is much gentler on cells, making it an ideal solution for the routine detachment of cells from standard tissue culture plasticware and adhesion coated plasticware. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and uses of Accutase and how it is changing the game in cell culture.
Advantages of Accutase
Accutase has several advantages over traditional trypsin solutions. Firstly, it can be used whenever gentle and efficient detachment of any adherent cell line is needed, making it a direct replacement for trypsin. Secondly, Accutase works extremely well on embryonic and neuronal stem cells, and it has been shown to maintain the viability of these cells after passaging. Thirdly, Accutase preserves most epitopes for subsequent flow cytometry analysis, making it ideal for cell surface marker analysis.
Additionally, Accutase does not need to be neutralized when passaging adherent cells. The addition of more media after the cells are split dilutes Accutase so it is no longer able to detach cells. This eliminates the need for an inactivation step and saves time for cell culture technicians. Finally, Accutase does not need to be aliquoted, and a bottle is stable in the refrigerator for 2 months.
Applications of Accutase
Accutase is a direct replacement for trypsin solution and can be used for the passaging of cell lines. Additionally, Accutase performs well when detaching cells for the analysis of many cell surface markers using flow cytometry and for cell sorting. Other downstream applications of Accutase treatment include analysis of cell surface markers, virus growth assay, cell proliferation, tumor cell migration assays, routine cell passage, production scale-up (bioreactor), and flow cytometry.
Composition of Accutase
Accutase contains no mammalian or bacterial components and is a natural enzyme mixture with proteolytic and collagenolytic enzyme activity. It is formulated at a much lower concentration than trypsin and collagenase, making it less toxic and gentler, but just as effective.
Efficiency of Accutase
Accutase has been shown to be efficient in detaching primary and stem cells and maintaining high cell viability compared to animal origin enzymes such as trypsin. 100% of cells are recovered after 10 minutes, and there is no harm in leaving cells in Accutase for up to 45 minutes, thanks to autodigestion of Accutase.
In summary
In conclusion, Accutase is a powerful solution that is changing the game in cell culture. With its gentle nature, efficiency, and versatility, Accutase is the ideal alternative to trypsin. If you are looking for a reliable and efficient solution for cell detachment, Accutase is the solution for you.
Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) is a widely used buffer solution in biological and chemical research. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the pH balance and osmolarity during various experimental procedures, including tissue processing and cell culture. Our PBS solution is meticulously formulated with high-purity ingredients to ensure stability and reliability in every experiment. The osmolarity and ion concentrations of our PBS closely mimic those of the human body, making it isotonic and non-toxic to most cells.
Composition of Our PBS Solution
Our PBS solution is a pH-adjusted blend of ultrapure-grade phosphate buffers and saline solutions. At a 1X working concentration, it contains:
8000 mg/L Sodium chloride (NaCl)
200 mg/L Potassium chloride (KCl)
1150 mg/L Sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous (Na2HPO4)
200 mg/L Potassium phosphate monobasic anhydrous (KH2PO4)
This composition ensures an optimal pH and ionic balance, suitable for a wide range of biological applications.
Applications of Our PBS Solution
Our PBS solution is ideal for various applications in biological research. Its isotonic and non-toxic properties make it suitable for substance dilution and cell container rinsing. PBS solutions containing EDTA are effective for disengaging attached and clumped cells. However, divalent metals such as zinc should not be added to PBS, as this can cause precipitation. In such cases, Good's buffers are recommended. Additionally, our PBS solution is an acceptable alternative to viral transport medium for the transport and storage of RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
Quality Control
Sterile-filtered
Storage and Shelf Life
Store at +2°C to +25°C, protected from light.
Once opened, store at 2°C to 25°C and use within 24 months.
Shipping Conditions
Ambient temperature
Maintenance
Keep refrigerated at +2°C to +8°C in the dark. Avoid freezing and frequent warming to +37°C, as it reduces product quality.
Do not heat the medium beyond 37°C or use uncontrolled heat sources such as microwave appliances.
If only part of the medium is to be used, remove the required amount and warm it to room temperature before use.
Composition
Category
Components
Concentration (mg/L)
Salts
Potassium chloride
200
Potassium phosphate monobasic anhydrous
200
Sodium chloride
8000
Sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous
1150
Material Transfer Agreement
If you intend to use Cytion cell lines solely for internal research at a single research site, please complete and sign our Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) and submit it along with your order.
For any commercial applications - including but not limited to fee-for-service work, quality control testing, product release, diagnostic use, or regulatory studies - please complete the Intended Use Form so we can prepare a suitable agreement tailored to your project.
Please note: The MTA applies only to certain cell lines. If this notice and the MTA document appear on a product page, the agreement is applicable. For cell lines not covered by the MTA, no reference to the agreement will be shown. The MTA is not valid for customers in the Americas, China, or Taiwan. Please contact our U.S. entity to receive the appropriate agreement.