Physiological and morphological studies of rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) chemically fused and grown in culture.

摘要: Abstract Cell fusion induced by polyethylene glycol has been used to produce in culture giant multinucleate PC12 cells (up 300 micron diameter compared 10-20 for unfused cells). Fused cells, like their counterparts, were found express various neuronal properties. They contained catecholamines. In the presence of nerve growth factor they extended long processes and expressed Na+, Ca2+, K+ conductances generally associated with excitable cells. absence these neither grew nor generated Na+-spikes. Other properties also observed.