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COS cells
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<p>COS are <a href="/facts/Fibroblast/n08KsFll">fibroblast</a>-like <a href="/facts/Cell_line/X4fClRIf">cell lines</a> derived from monkey kidney tissue. COS cells are obtained by immortalizing CV-1 cells with a version of the <a href="/facts/SV40/5nuFIf4a">SV40</a> virus that can produce <a href="/facts/SV40_Large_T-antigen/1R41yJeK">large T antigen</a> but has a defect in genomic replication. The CV-1 cell line in turn was derived from the kidney of the <a href="/facts/African_green_monkey/S9smT9fk">African green monkey</a>. </p><p>The acronym "COS" is derived from the cells being CV-1 (simian) in Origin, and carrying the SV40 genetic material. Three COS lines were created (COS-1, COS-3 and COS-7), of which two are commonly used (COS-1 and COS-7). </p>