title: Transfection of a DNA locus that mediates the conversion of 10T1/2 fibroblasts to myoblasts.
abstract: Stable myoblast cell lines were isolated after a brief exposure of mouse fibroblasts (10T1/2 cells) to 5-azacytidine. We show that transfection of 10T1/2 cells with DNA from these azacytidine-induced myoblasts (or from mouse C2C12 myoblasts) results in myogenic conversion of approximately 1 in 15,000 transfected colonies. In contrast, transfection of 10T1/2 cells with DNA from nonmyogenic cells (parental 10T1/2 cell DNA) does not give rise to myoblast colonies. These results indicate that an azacytidine-induced structural modification (presumably demethylation) in the DNA of a single locus is sufficient to convert 10T1/2 cells into determined myoblasts.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D008745:Methylation; D051379:Mice; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology*; D010641:Phenotype; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D001374:Azacitidine