Plant-animal cell fusions

The successful fusion of plant protoplasts and animal cells depends on a variety of factors. A method using high pH, high Ca2+ concentration and raised temperature has advantages over the polyethylene glycol method first used to fuse plant and animal cells. Electric field-induced fusion will perhaps be superior to both methods. The readiness with which the two different cytoplasms fuse was found to influence the success of interkingdom fusions; the high pH/high Ca2+ method leads to more rapid and complete cytoplasmic fusion than the polyethylene glycol method. Immunofluorescence studies of the extent of plasma membrane interaction in plant-animal heterokaryons have been made, using antibodies to animal cell membrane components. The influence of the culture medium on the survival of plant-animal heterokaryons and on the dominance of one or other cell partner has also been investigated. Further studies should indicate whether both genotypes are functioning in such interkingdom heterokaryons.