Reversible and irreversible inhibitors of clustering of alpha 2M in clathrin-coated pits on the surface of fibroblasts

An efficient polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion procedure has been developed and standardised for induction of premature chromosome condensation at high frequency in HeLa cells. High fusion frequencies are achieved on a dense cell monolayer induced by centrifugation of mitotic and interphase cells onto lectin-coated plastic culture dishes. Using this fusion procedure, induction frequencies of 60–90 % can routinely be obtained. This method should be useful in inducing sufficient quantities prematurely condensed chromosomes (PCC) for purification and subsequent biochemical and ultrastructural analysis. The procedure can be readily adapted for other studies that require high fusion frequencies between non-attaching cell types.