Immortalized Mouse Distal Caput Epididymal Epithelial Cell Line (DC2)

The epididymal epithelium plays an important role in male fertility by supporting sperm motility, maturation and viability. Owing to the changing microenvironment created by different sections of the epididymis, the spermatozoa matures as they passage through the convoluted tubule.
DC2 is a conditionally immortalized mouse epididymal epithelial cell line isolated from the distal caput of the mouse harbouring a temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T antigen. The functional expression of the SV40 large T antigen is induced by culturing the cells in vitro at permissive temperature (33°C). At a non-permissive temperature (37°C-39°C), the cells cease to proliferate. DC2 expresses androgen receptor as well as markers of the murine epididymal epithelium, PEB-like protein (i.e. phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein), E-RABP (i.e. epididymal retinoic acid-binding protein), and EP17 (i.e. epididymal protein of 17 kd). Together with the Immortalized Mouse Proximal Caput Epididymal Epithelial Cell Line (PC1), these cells are useful in studying the regulation of tissue-specific gene expression and epididymal specific proteins in the epididymis. This cell line may contain some fibroblast cells.

Immortalization Method: Isolated from a transgenic mouse carrying a temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T tumor antigen

BioSafety Level: II

Species: Mouse

Source Organ: caput epididymis

Growth Properties: Adherent

Morphology: Polygonal

Population Doubling: 70 - 80 hours

Seeding Density: 20,000 - 30,000 cells per cm².

Markers: Androgen receptor (AR), PEB-like protein, E-RABP, mEP17, cytokeratin

Donor Age: N/A

Donor Gender: N/A

Donor Ethnicity: N/A

Propagation: The base medium for this cell line is Prigrow V medium available at abm, Cat. No. TM015. To make the completed growth medium, add the following components to the base medium: fetal bovine serum (TM999)* to a final concentration of 10% and Penicillin/Streptomycin Solution (G255) to a final concentration of 1%.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂): 5%, Temperature: +33.0°C.

Quality Control: 1) Immunocytochemistry, western blot and RT-PCR were used to confirm expression of androgen receptor, cytokeratin, mE-RABP, PEB-like protein, and mEP17; 2) RT-PCR was used to assess the T-antigen transgene expression in the immortalized cell line

Shipping Condition: Dry Ice

Storage Condition: liquid nitrogen or -180°C