Cell Fusion
Cell Fusion
Introduction: The fusion of cells is a fundamental biological event that is essential for a variety of developmental and homeostatic processes. The importance of cell-cell fusion during development and disease is displayed in a variety of biological processes including, but not limited to, fertilization, development of tissues, the immune response, and aspects of tissue regeneration due to stem cells (Chen and Olson, 2005). Fertilization, which is the fusion of sperm and egg, is likely the most well known form of cell fusion because it is the basis of life (Chen and Olson, 2005). Cell fusion is a cellular process in which several uninuclear cells combine to form a multinuclear cell, known as a syncytium. Studies of genetic model organisms have uncovered a unifying principle that cell fusion is a genetically programmed process. This process can be divided into three stages: competence (cell induction and differentiation); commitment (cell determination, migration, and adhesion); and cell fusion (membrane merging and cytoplasmic mixing) (Aguilar et al., 2013). Fusion is a necessary event in the maturation of cells so that they maintain their specific functions throughout growth. If fusion between cells did not occur, life would not exist. Two types of cell fusion are possible. One type of fusion is known as homotypic fusion, which occurs between cells of the same type. The second type is known as heterotypic cell fusion, which occurs between cells of different types. The fusion of heterotypic cells could be very important in development, repair of tissues, and the pathogenesis of disease (Ogle et al., 2005). Cell fusion creates two different types of cells known as heterokaryons and synkaryons. A heterokaryon is a cell formed by the fusion of two or more cells of different types and having two or more distinct nuclei. A synkaryon is a cell formed by the fusion of two or more cells and having one common nucleus, formed by nuclear fusion (Ogle et
Introduction: The fusion of cells is a fundamental biological event that is essential for a variety of developmental and homeostatic processes. The importance of cell-cell fusion during development and disease is displayed in a variety of biological processes including, but not limited to, fertilization, development of tissues, the immune response, and aspects of tissue regeneration due to stem cells (Chen and Olson, 2005). Fertilization, which is the fusion of sperm and egg, is likely the most well known form of cell fusion because it is the basis of life (Chen and Olson, 2005). Cell fusion is a cellular process in which several uninuclear cells combine to form a multinuclear cell, known as a syncytium. Studies of genetic model organisms have uncovered a unifying principle that cell fusion is a genetically programmed process. This process can be divided into three stages: competence (cell induction and differentiation); commitment (cell determination, migration, and adhesion); and cell fusion (membrane merging and cytoplasmic mixing) (Aguilar et al., 2013). Fusion is a necessary event in the maturation of cells so that they maintain their specific functions throughout growth. If fusion between cells did not occur, life would not exist. Two types of cell fusion are possible. One type of fusion is known as homotypic fusion, which occurs between cells of the same type. The second type is known as heterotypic cell fusion, which occurs between cells of different types. The fusion of heterotypic cells could be very important in development, repair of tissues, and the pathogenesis of disease (Ogle et al., 2005). Cell fusion creates two different types of cells known as heterokaryons and synkaryons. A heterokaryon is a cell formed by the fusion of two or more cells of different types and having two or more distinct nuclei. A synkaryon is a cell formed by the fusion of two or more cells and having one common nucleus, formed by nuclear fusion (Ogle et
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