The CTX-TNA2 cell line was established from primary cultures of type 1 astrocytes derived from the frontal cortex tissue of 1-day-old rat brains. The cells were transfected with a DNA construct containing the SV40 early oncogenic region under the transcriptional control of the human GFAP promoter (pGFA-SV-Tt) and pPGK-neo, which contains the mouse phosphoglycerate kinase gene promoter, three days after initial plating. The transfected culture was then selected with G418 and the transfected cells were cloned. CTX-TNA2 cells retain characteristics consistent with the type 1 astrocyte phenotype, with approximately 20% of the cells exhibiting immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The cells possess a high-affinity uptake mechanism for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which can be inhibited by β-alanine. The amount of α2-macroglobulin produced by the cells is similar to that found in primary astrocytes, but the production of transferrin is much lower. CTX-TNA2 cells do not produce proenkephalin A, do not express the O4 or A2B5 epitopes specific to type 2 astrocytes, and do not express galactocerebroside. Immunostaining revealed the presence of the SV40 T antigen in the nuclei of over 95% of the cells.

Cell Name: Rat cortical neuron cell line, immortalized

Cell Synonyms: CTX-TNA2; CTX TNA2

Catalogue No.: TCR-C631
Species: Rat
Tissue Origin: Brain
Disease Characteristics: /

Morphology: Fibroblast-like
Growth Properties: Adherent

Culture Medium: DMEM-H + 10% FBS + 1% P/S
Matching Medium Catalog Number: TCR-G631

Passage Ratio: 1:2-1:4, with medium renewal every 2–3 days

Doubling Time: —

Culture Conditions: Atmosphere: 95% air + 5% CO₂; Temperature: 37°C

Freezing Conditions: 60% basal medium + 30% FBS + 10% DMSO; store in liquid nitrogen

Recommended Cryopreservation Solution: HyCyte® One-Step Freezing Medium (ready-to-use, serum-free, no programmed cooling required), Product No.: GUCP-R201

Quality Control: Negative for bacteria, fungi, and mycoplasma.