Chapter 12 Fusion of Somatic and Gametic Cells with Lysolecithin

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the fusion of somatic and gametic cells with lysolecithin (LL). Sendai virus-induced fusion between somatic cells and between somatic cells and gametic cells has become an established procedure in biological studies of mammalian cells. Problems occur, however, because the “fusion factors” in the Sendai virus preparation are unknown and, therefore, cannot be quantitatively determined. As stocks of Sendai virus vary considerably in their ability to fuse cells, it has been impossible to devise a standard method for the production of such stocks. This also applies to the preservation of Sendai virus stocks, as it has not been possible to relate the occasional loss of ability to fuse cells directly to the condition under which the virus was preserved. The possible introduction of virus particles in a somatic cell during the fusion process may cause alterations in the host cell. Related to this, is the fact that Sendai virus may interfere with the rescue of a virus which may be present in cells participating in the fusion experiment. The lysolecithin (LL), a phospholipid, is capable of fusing somatic cells, and the viable heterokaryocytes and hybrid cells are produced through fusion in the presence of LL. It is found that lysolecithinase (phospholipase B), which acts specifically on LL, inhibits the fusion and hemolytic activity of Sendai virus.