Generating Heterokaryotic Cells via Bacterial Cell-Cell Fusion.

ABSTRACT: Fusion of cells is an important and common biological process that leads to the mixing of cellular contents and the formation of multinuclear cells. Cell fusion occurs when distinct membranes are brought into proximity of one another and merge to become one. Fusion holds promise for biotechnological innovations, for instance, for the discovery of urgently needed new antibiotics. Here, we used antibiotic-producing bacteria that can proliferate without their cell wall as a model to investigate cell-cell fusion. We found that fusion between genetically distinct cells yields heterokaryons that are viable, contain multiple selection markers, and show increased antimicrobial activity. The rate of fusion induced using physical and chemical methods was dependent on membrane fluidity, which is rela

SUBMITTER: Shitut S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9430406 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature