V-fusion: a convenient, nontoxic method for cell fusion.
Cell-to-cell fusion (cell fusion) is a fundamental biological process that also has been used as a versatile experimental tool to dissect a variety of cellular mechanisms, including the consequences of cell fusion itself, and to produce cells with desired properties, such as hybridomas and reprogrammed progenitors. However, current methods of cell fusion are not satisfactory because of their toxicity, inefficiency, or lack of flexibility. We describe a simple, versatile, scalable, and nontoxic approach that we call V-fusion, as it is based on the ability of the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein (VSV-G), a viral fusogen of broad tropism, to become rapidly and reversibly activated. We suggest that this approach will benefit a broad array of studies that investigate consequences of cell fusion or use cell fusion as an experimental tool.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11768, USA.
Amy
A
Gottesman
Joseph
J
Milazzo
Yuri
Y
Lazebnik
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002459:Cell Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D002460:Cell Line; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008938:Mitosis / Q000502:physiology; D014161:Transduction, Genetic / Q000379:methods*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
C028391:G protein, vesicular stomatitis virus; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins