Growth control and cell spreading: differential response in preneoplastic and in metastatic cell variants.

Growth control and sensitivity to changes in cell shape were studied in anchorage-dependent mouse fibroblasts (diploid fibroblasts, 3T3 and 3T6), in DNa tumor-virus-transformed mouse fibroblasts (SVPy 3T3), in four B16 melanoma and five uv-2237 fibrosarcoma cell variants that exhibit distinct metastatic properties. Differential adhesive conditions were established by precoating the plastic plates with poly (2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) that allowed an accurate and reproducible control of cell shape, from flat to spherical. Mouse fibroblasts that form a continuum between rigorously controlled cells to fully anchorage-independent cells, display a direct correlation between degree of growth control and sensitivity to changes in cell spreading. In contrast, there is no apparent direct correlation between sensitivity of growth control to changes in cellular configuration and the metastatic potential of tumor cells.