Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP concentrations in serum- and density-restricted fibroblast cultures.

Mouse fibroblasts transformed by simian virus 40 (SV3T3 cells) are characterized by cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels, respectively, about half and twice those found in growing untransformed 3T3 cells. Density-dependent inhibition of growth is correlated with reduced cyclic GMP concentrations in 3T3 and four different density-restricted revertant lines derived from SV3T3. The levels of cyclic AMP are not increased at confluence. Upon serum restriction, serum-dependent cell lines show a greater increase in intracellular cAMP than serum-insensitive lines. Cyclic GMP levels are greatly reduced, even in serum-insensitive density revertants, but not in SV3T3. Serum readdition to all serum-dependent lines is followed by a rapid decrease in cyclic AMP and increase in cyclic GMP concentrations. The magnitude of these responses is decreased in SV3T3 and density revertants.