| Abstract |
How cells undergo differentiation to form unique cell types within
multicellular organisms is one of the many intriguing questions in cell
biology today. A large area of research has been devoted to determining
factors which affect growth and differentiation of cells, including the
understanding of embryonic development and the mechanism of replenishment
of damaged tissue, and identifying factors which contribute to the lack of
control of growth and differentiation in cancer.
Cell lines which retain the capacity to differentiate in culture, such as
the L6 myoblast cell line are extremely useful in these studies. The
selection of genetic mutants, which are unable to differentiate, allows
direct comparison of the phenotype with the wild type to determine the
effects of alterations in biochemistry on the differentiation process.
Undoubtedly, the plasma membrane plays a large role in cellular
differentiation. Cell surface membrane receptors interact with
extracellular components such as growth factors and other hormones which
initiate cellular differentiation, but in some types of cellular
differentiation, such as the fusion of L6 myoblasts, the plasma membranes
are more intimately involved. Several studies have indicated a requirement
for N-linked glycosylation during myoblast fusion and there is
considerable evidence from the characterization of con A-resistant mutants
to suggest that high mannose oligosaccharides are essential for L6
myoblast fusion to occur.
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