Electronmicroscopical and electrophysiological investigations on polyethylene glycol induced cell fusion

Cells of monolayer cultures are fused by high concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with a molecular weight of approximately 1500. This process is independent of extracellular ca++ions. PEG changes transiently the surface membrane and leads to fusion only after replacing it by normal medium. Before the final fusion of two cells, the onset of ionic coupling via longer lasting pseudopodial contact can be measured. Only cells that are synchronous in the secretory and pseudopodial response to PEG may fuse with each other.