Genes for neuronal properties expressed in neuroblastoma x L cell hybrids.

Neuroblastoma cells with electrically excitable membranes were fused with electrically passive L cells having a hitherto undescribed electrical marker. Hybrid cells, examined 10-40 generations after fusion, were found to be electrically excitable. The results show that at least a part of the genetic information for neuron differentiation can be functionally expressed in N x L hybrid cells. Evidence for the regulation of action potential components was also found.