Pronase Method for Isolation of Viable Cells from Necturus Gastric Mucosa

Abstract

Isolated cells of Necturus gastric mucosa were prepared with a simple method using pronase digestion and shaking. In dye exclusion tests cell suspensions containing more than 80% of oxyntic cells were more than 90% viable. Isolated cells had respiration rates of 0.411 ± 0.043 microatom O2 per mg of protein per hr (mean ± se ). Na and K concentrations in cell water were 44.2 ± 1.8 mEq per liter, and 66.7 ± 2.2 mEq per liter respectively. The transmembranal potential of isolated cells was 44 ± 3 mv. similar to that obtained for intact mucosa.