Use of latex particles for analysis of heterokaryon formation and cell fusion.

A simple method for the quick and accurate detection of cell fusion utilizing latex particles as cytoplasmic markers was developed and is reported here. The method is particularly useful for demonstrating human skin fibroblast heterokaryons. Ingestion of latex particles did not affect the growth of primary human and established BHK(21)/C(13) hamster fibroblasts. In addition, somatic cell hybridization between hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase-deficient (HPRT-) and thymidine kinase-deficient (TK-) mutants of BHK(21)/C(13) was also unaffected by lates particle ingestion.