title: How fixed is the differentiated state? Lessons from heterokaryons.
abstract: The differentiated state is highly stable in vivo. Yet, in response to nuclear transplantation, tissue regeneration or cell fusion, the nuclei of differentiated cells exhibit a remarkable capacity to change. I review here the utility of heterokaryons, multinucleated cell hybrids, in elucidating the mechanisms that establish and maintain the differentiated state and yet allow such plasticity.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Blau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002459:Cell Fusion; D004261:DNA Replication; D015870:Gene Expression; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D006801:Humans; D006822:Hybrid Cells