Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 10, 2026

PtK2 cells

PtK2 cells are a cell line derived from male long-nosed potoroo epithelial kidney cells. This cell line is used for a variety of applications in biomedical research but is particularly popular as a model for mitosis.

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Jun 10, 2026
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Phase contrast microscopy image of Potorous tridactylus kidney epithelial cells source ↗

PtK2 cells are a cell line derived from male long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylis) epithelial kidney cells.1 This cell line is used for a variety of applications in biomedical research but is particularly popular as a model for mitosis.2

Origin

The PtK2 cell line was established by Kirsten Walen and Spencer Brown in 1962.3 Cells from the rat kangaroo were selected as the source of a cell line because this species has only a small number of chromosomes and these chromosomes are easily visualized under a microscope; mitosis becomes easy to observe, and the structural aspects of cell division can be closely examined.4

Characteristics

PtK2 cells are relatively large, and when grown in a monolayer, stay flat throughout the cell cycle - unlike many cells that round up during mitosis.5 PtK2 cells are resistant to adenovirus 5, coxsackievirus B5, and poliovirus 2. They are susceptible to coxsackievirus A9, herpes simplex, vaccinia, and vesicular stomatitis (Ogden strain).6 PtK2 cells contain intermediate filaments composed of Keratin.7

References

References

  1. "PtK2 (NBL-5) (ATCC® CCL-56™)". Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  2. Elgin, edited by Barbara A. Hamkalo, Sarah C.R. (1991). Functional organization of the nucleus a laboratory guide. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 143. ISBN 008085933X. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. Walen, KH; Brown, SW (Apr 28, 1962). "Chromosomes in a marsupial (Potorous tridactylis) tissue culture". Nature. 194 (4826): 406. Bibcode:1962Natur.194..406W. doi:10.1038/194406a0. PMID 14004541. S2CID 4150008.
  4. Brescia, Peter J. Jr; Banks, Peter (24 June 2014). "High Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy of PtK2 Cells Undergoing Mitosis in Microplates". BioTek. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  5. "Molecular Expressions Microscopy Primer: Specialized Microscopy Techniques - Fluorescence Digital Image Gallery - Male Rat Kangaroo Kidney Epithelial Cells (PtK2)". Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  6. Steubing, Rosemarie; Lindl, Toni (25 March 2013). Atlas of Living Cell Cultures. Weinheim: Wiley. p. 465. ISBN 978-3527669936.
  7. "Olympus Microscopy Resource Center | Fluorescence Digital Image Gallery - Epithelial Cells". Retrieved 17 December 2013.
External links