Analysis of somatic cell hybrids derived from normal human prostatic epithelial cells fused with HeLa cells

Somatic cell hybrids have been instrumental in the recognition of specific chromosomes containing genes capable of suppressing the malignant phenotype. As a first step towards the identification of possible suppressor genes in prostate cells, we created hybrids by fusing normal prostate cells with malignant HeLa cells. Similar to hybrids made with other combinations of normal and malignant cells, the normal phenotype was dominant and the malignant phenotype was suppressed. The phenotype of the nontumorigenic hybrids after injection into nude mice resembled that of normal keratinocyte X HeLa hybrids, and tiny, nonprogressive keratinized nodules were produced. One hybrid clone was tumorigenic, possible due to the loss of a normal suppressor gene, and displayed glandular as well as squamous elements. Further characterization of these hybrids should permit isolation of specific suppressor genes, as well as promote recognition of elements that regulate the glandular phenotype.