Molecular biological study of retinoblastoma hybrids between retinoblastoma and non-malignant cell
Totsuka, S.; Matsumura, P.; Inana, G.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 92(5): 828-836
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 3189063 Document Number: 318648
In order to determine whether retinoblastoma (RB) is a dominant or a recessive cancer, the RB Y79 cells containing the neomycin-resistance gene were fused with "non-malignant" NIH 3T3 cells containing the E. coli xathine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene. Totally 60 hybrids were isolated by a double selection with neomycin and media containing aminopterin and mycophenolic acid, and their morphological characteristics were studied. All hybrids had the ability to grow in the double selection media, and DNA blot hybridization with 32P-labeled neo or GPT probes demonstrated the presence of both sequences in the hybrid cells. The hybrid cells were all spindle-shaped and fibroblastic. Colonies showed a wheatsheaf cell alignment. Therefore, all hybrids were morphologically most similar to the "non-malignant" fibroblast parent NIH 3T3. These results appear to confirm the recessive nature of RB.