In the past, scientists fuse cells of different types creating a heteokaryon. It used to be that the Sendai virus is a popular tool for cell fusion, although now there are chemical means available. It can be shown that proteins from one fusion partner can affect the gene expression in the other partner's nucleus. There are interesting types of fusion. The fusion of a stem cell with a differentiated cell. The fusion between a metastasizing cell and a non-metastasizing cell. The fusion between a cancer stem cell and a normal stem cell. The fusion between a B cell and a rapidly dividing mammalian cell. The fusion between a mammalian cell and an immortal cell line to allow them to survive in culture. Or in recent debates on Aaron Ng's blog, the fusion of cells from a crane and an amphibian such as a frog or a toad???!!!!!
Citations
1) CELL BIOLOGY: ON MECHANISMS OF CELL-CELL FUSION http://scienceweek.com/2005/sw050520-3.htm
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