Growth characteristics of Burkitt somatic cell hybrids in vitro.

SUMMARY Burkitt somatic cell hybrids (D98/HR-l) synthesize both the A and B forms of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, which were originally derived from the two fused human cells. The A form is from D98 cells and the B form was supplied by the P3J-HR-l cells. The formation of a heteropolymer of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the hybrid proves that a hybrid was obtained. Selection of hybrid cells with lower numbers of chromosomes has taken place after several cell passages. The properties of the hybrid and parental cell lines differ in their ability to grow in soft agar, but all showed little dependence on serum concentration.