Abstract
In this study, we established and characterized a cell line derived from the kidney of black carp ( Mylopharyngodon piceus ), which is an important freshwater aquaculture species. The cell line was designated as MPK and subcultured for more than 70 passages in DMEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum ( FBS ) at 28°C. MPK had a modal diploid chromosome number of 48. Moreover, a transient MPK transfection efficiency was up to 18% using a green fluorescent protein plasmid by a modified electroporation. In addition, the MPK cells showed susceptibility to spring viremia of carp virus ( SVCV ), as demonstrated by the presence of severe cytopathic effects ( CPE s) and increased viral RNA . Unexpectedly, the MPK cells expressed pluripotency‐associated genes such as nanog , oct 4 and vasa , indicating that these are possibly adult stem cells. Taken together, we have established a stable cell line from kidney that may potentially be utilized as an in vitro platform for genetic modifications and host–pathogen analysis in black carp.