The most commonly used Drosophila cell line is probably the Schneider 2 (S2) cell line, which was derived from embryos.
But there are many other options. Choice of cells will affect:
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.
Researchers who would like to obtain cells from the DRSC's collection in advance of a screen should contact Matt Booker.
The Drosophila Genomics Resource Center (DGRC) in Bloomington maintains and distributes several Drosophila cell lines, in addition to posting protocols.
Clone 8. Clone 8 cells were derived from third instar larvae wing imaginal discs. They are diploid. They are columnar epithelial, semi-adherent, will form multiple layers and have conserved signaling pathway activities.
Reference: Peel DJ, Johnson SA, Milner MJ. The ultrastructure of imaginal disc cells in primary cultures and during cell aggregation in continuous cell lines. Tissue Cell. 1990;22(5):749-58.
Drosophila Line 1 (also "Schneider Line 1" or "DL1"). DL1 cells were derived from dissociated Oregon R embryos at a near hatching stage. The line at the DRSC was provided by R. Dasgupta (University of Wisconsin-Madison). The cells are hemocyte-like at the gene expression level, phagocytic, adherent, uniformly round, smooth, and form a monolayer.
Reference: Schneider I. Cell lines derived from late embryonic stages of Drosophila melanogaster. J Embryol Exp Morphol. 1972 Apr;27(2):353-65.
Drosophila Line 2 (also "Schneider Line 2" or "DL2"). DL2 cells were derived from dissociated Oregon R embryos at near hatching stage. The line at the DRSC was provided by P. Christian. The cells are hemocyte-like at the gene expression level, phagocytic, adherent, uniformly round, smooth and form a monolayer.
Kc (also "Kc 167"). Kc cells were derived from dissociated embryos (F2 ebony x sepia) at 8-12 hour. The line at the DRSC was provided by P. Cherbas. The cells are hemocyte-like at the gene expression level, phagocytic, uniformly round, adherent in response to ecdysone, and characterized by bipolar spindle cell shape. Up to 90% of the cells are diploid. The cells are XX and have one punctiform chromosome IV.
ML-DmBG2. ML-DmBG2 cells were derived from dissociated third instar larvae brain and ventral ganglia tissue (genoptye described as y v f mal). The cells are capable of forming neuronal-like processes and are positive for acetylcholine expression and horse-radish persoxidase (HRP) activity. The cells are diploid.
Reference: Ui K, Nishihara S, Sakuma M, Togashi S, Ueda R, Miyata Y, Miyake T. Newly established cell lines from Drosophila larval CNS express neural specific characteristics. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim. 1994 Apr;30A(4):209-16.
Schneider's Line S2 (also "S2"); from Invitrogen. S2 cells were derived from dissociated Oregon R embryos at near hatching stage. The line at the DRSC was obtained from Invitrogen. The cells are hemocyte-like at the gene expression level, phagocytic, round, with a granular cytoplasm, and form semi-adherent colonies. The cells are described as female (presumably XX). 60-80% of the cells are tetraploid.
Reference: Schneider I. Cell lines derived from late embryonic stages of Drosophila melanogaster. J Embryol Exp Morphol. 1972 Apr;27(2):353-65.
Schneider's Line S2 (also "SL2"); from S. Cohen. SL2 cells were derived from dissociated Oregon R embryos at near hatching stage. The line at the DRSC was provided by S. Cohen. The cells are hemocyte-like at the level of gene expression, phagocytic, round, with a granular cytoplasm, and form semi-adherent colonies. The cells are described as femail (presumably XX). 60-80% of the cells are tetraploid.
Reference: Schneider I. Cell lines derived from late embryonic stages of Drosophila melanogaster. J Embryol Exp Morphol. 1972 Apr;27(2):353-65.
Schneider's S2 Star (also "S2*"). S2* cells were derived from dissociated Oregon R embryos at near hatching stage. The line at the DRSC was provided by T. Maniatis. The cells are hemocyte-like at the level of gene expression, phagocytic, round, have a granular cytoplasm, and are semi-adherent as colonies.
Reference: Schneider I. Cell lines derived from late embryonic stages of Drosophila melanogaster. J Embryol Exp Morphol. 1972 Apr;27(2):353-65.
Schneider's S2C (also "S2C"). S2C cells were derived from dissociated Oregon R embryos at near hatching stage. The line at the DRSC was provided by P. Cherbas. The cells are hemocyte-like at the level of gene expression, round, have a granular cytoplasm, and are semi-adherent as colonies.
Reference: Schneider I. Cell lines derived from late embryonic stages of Drosophila melanogaster. J Embryol Exp Morphol. 1972 Apr;27(2):353-65.
Schneider's S2-R Plus (also "S2-R+"). S2-R+ cells were derived from dissociated Oregon R embryos at near hatching stage. The line at the DRSC was provided by S. Yanagawa. The cells are hemocyte-like at the level of gene expression, phagocytic, flat, adherent, and Fz+ and Wg- in terms of responsiveness.
Rereference: Yanagawa S, Lee JS, Ishimoto A. Identification and characterization of a novel line of Drosophila Schneider S2 cells that respond to wingless signaling. J Biol Chem. 1998 Nov 27;273(48):32353-9.
Schneider's Line S3 (also "SL3"). SL3 cells were derived from dissociated Oregon R embryos at near hatching stage. The line at the DRSC was provided by P. Cherbas. The cells are adherent, spindle-shaped, responsive to ecdysone, and grow in clumps. They are XX and XY in karyotype. The cells are 90% diploid.
Reference: Schneider I. Cell lines derived from late embryonic stages of Drosophila melanogaster. J Embryol Exp Morphol. 1972 Apr;27(2):353-65.
