# Drosophila cultured cell lines ## expand\_more ## Cell Lines The most commonly used Drosophila cell line is probably the Schneider 2 (S2) cell line, which was derived from embryos. Another popular choice for screening at the DRSC-FGR is the S2R+ cell line. But there are many other options. What cells you choose will affect: - Your assay, as different lineages are appropriate for different biological assays - Your protocol, as many cells take up dsRNA in solution (bathing method) but others require the addition of a transfection agent for efficient up-take - Your results, as different cells express different sub-sets of genes. - Keep in mind that it's possible to customize an existing cell line with one or more transgenic construct (via transient transfection or production of a stable cell line). This is useful to monitor transcriptional activation, to track the sub-cellular localization of a tagged protein, and more. ## Need Cells? We do not serve as a repository and distribution facility for fly cell lines. That role is served by the Drosophila Genomics Resource Center (Bloomington, IN). We encourage researchers to reach out to the DGRC for cel lines. For RNAi screen specifically, please feel free to contact the director about cel llines. One lab's "S2" (or other) cell line may not be identical to another lab's version. We encourage researchers to use same-origin cells for RNAi screens. This helps cross-experiment analysis, including analysis of RNAi screen datasets here at the DRSC and cell line data generated as part of the modENCODE project. ***Be sure to visit our*** [CRISPR modified cell lines page](/crispr-modified-cell-lines)***, where you can view a list of GFP-tagged cell lines useful for low- and high-throughput studies.*** The [Drosophila Genomics Resource Center (DGRC)](https://dgrc.bio.indiana.edu/Home) in Bloomington, IN, USA, maintains and distributes many *Drosophila* cell lines, in addition to posting protocols. In addition, FlyBase maintains a [list of resources for fly cells](http://flybase.org/wiki/FlyBase:Drosophila_Material_Resources#Cell_Lines_and_Hybridomas). This paper has useful information about cell line karyotypes (see Table 1): Williams BR, Bateman JR, Novikov ND, Wu CT. Disruption of topoisomerase II perturbs pairing in drosophila cell culture. Genetics. 2007 Sep;177(1):31-46. PubMedID: [17890361](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17890361) ## New, mutant, and GFP-tagged cell lines The Drosophila RNAi Screening Center (DRSC) is collaborating with the Simcox Lab (Ohio State Univesrity) and the Bellen Lab (Baylor College of Medicine) to make new cell lines, knockout mutant cell lines, and knock-in GFP-tagged cell lines. Please contact the Director for more information. We deposit validated cell lines to the [DGRC](https://dgrc.bio.indiana.edu/cells/Catalog) for distribution to the community. See also: [https://fgr.hms.harvard.edu/crispr-modified-cell-lines](/crispr-modified-cell-lines) ## Additional information The cell lines in the table below are commonly used for cell-based screens. S2, S2R+ and Kc cells in particular are popular choices (see [Screen Summary](http://www.flyrnai.org/screensummary)). "Wild type" Drosophila cell types commonly used in screens. Sort Line Origin Received from Reference Characteristics Schneider's Line S2 - (S2) Dissociated embryos, near hatching (Oregon R) Invitrogen Schneider, 1972 hemocyte-like gene expression, phagocytic, semi-adherent in colonies, round, granular cytoplasm Schneider's S2 - (S2\*) Dissociated embryos, near hatching (Oregon R) Maniatis hemocyte-like gene expression, phagocytic, semi-adherent in colonies, round, granular cytoplasm Schneider's S2 - (S2C) Dissociated embryos, near hatching (Oregon R) Cherbas hemocyte-like gene expression, semi-adherent in colonies, round, granular cytoplasm Schneider's S2 - (S2-R+) Dissociated embryos, near hatching (Oregon R) Yanagawa Yanagawa, S. et al,1998 hemocyte-like gene expression, phagocytic, adherent, flat cells; Fz+ and Wg-responsive Schneider's S2 - (DL2) Dissociated embryos, near hatching (Oregon R) Peter Christian hemocyte-like gene expression, phagocytic, adherent monolayer of uniformly round, smooth cells Schneider's Line S3 Dissociated embryos, near hatching (Oregon R) Cherbas Schneider, 1972 adherent, spindle-shaped cells, ecdysone responsive, grow in clumps Kc (Kc 167) Dissociated embryos, 8 - 12 h (F2 ebony x sepia) Cherbas Echalier and Ohanessian, 1969 hemocyte-like gene expression, phagocytic, uniformly round, clump in sheets, ecdysone responsive into adherent, bipolar spindle-shaped cells l(2)mbn 3rd instar larvae tumorous hemocytes, (l(2)malignant blood neoplasm) Maja Petersen Gateff et al, 1980 larger cells, larger granular, complex cytoplasm, phagocytic, aneuploid, heterogenous size and shape ML-DmBG2 Dissociated 3rd instar larvae brain and ventral ganglia (y v f mal) Ui et al, 1994 acetylcholine, HRP expression, neuronal-like processes ML-DmBG6 Dissociated 3rd instar larvae brain and ventral ganglia (y v f mal) Ui et al, 1994 acetylcholine, HRP expression, neuronal-like processes clone 8 3rd instar larvae wing imaginal discs Peel et al., 1990 columnar epithelial, adherent, will form multiple layers, conserved signaling pathways ## References cited in the table - Echalier, G. and A. Ohanessian. C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D. 1969 Mar 31;268(13):1771-3. - Haars R, Zentgraf H, Gateff E, Bautz FA. Virology. 1980 Feb;101(1):124-30. - Peel DJ, Johnson SA, Milner MJ. Tissue Cell. 1990;22(5):749-58. - Schneider I. J Embryol Exp Morphol. 1972 Apr;27(2):353-65. - Ui K, Nishihara S, Sakuma M, Togashi S, Ueda R, Miyata Y, Miyake T. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim. 1994 Apr;30A(4):209-16. - Yanagawa, S., J.S.Lee, A. Ishimoto. J Biol Chem. 1998 Nov 27;273(48)