A distinct family of endothelial cell mitogens that are homologous to platelet-derived growth factor has recently been identified. Unlike other known endothelial cell mitogens, these vascular endothelial cell growth factors (VEGFs) are secreted and appear to act specifically on endothelial cells. We have purified VEGF 2083-fold to apparent homogeneity from protein-free culture medium conditioned by

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The proximate cholesterol precursors lathosterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol and desmosterol supported the growth of NS-1 and X63 mouse myeloma cells. These cells and X63.653 cells are cholesterol auxotrophs, yet each was able to convert [3H]lathosterol to [3H]cholesterol. These results are consistent with the conclusion that cholesterol auxotrophy in these myeloma cells is due to a deficiency in 3-ketosteroid reductase activity. The steroid hormones testosterone, progesterone and hydrocortisone could not replace cholesterol as a medium supplement. These results provide a greater understanding of the cholesterol auxotrophy characteristic of cell lines clonally-derived from the MOPC 21 myeloma tumor, and they provide a rational basis for the use of sterols in defined culture medium for mouse myeloma cells.

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