Mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cells with altered glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity.

Two mutant clones of a Chinese hamster ovary cell line deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity have been characterized. In each case, there is evidence that a structural gene mutation has taken place. The first mutant produces 11% specific enzyme activity compared to wild-type parental cells, but this residual activity is much more heat sensitive than that of the wild type. The second mutant contains no residual activity, but a revertant was isolated that exhibits a partial restoration of G6PD activity with, again, an increased heat sensitivity. The selection of G6PD+ cells from G6PD- populations can be effected by exploiting the increased sensitivity of the latter to diamide, a compound that depletes the cell of reduced glutathione.