n.
A cell having two or more genetically different nuclei.
heterokaryotic het'er·o·kar'y·ot'ic (-ŏt'ĭk) adj.
heterokaryon
Dictionary:
het·er·o·kar·y·on (hĕt'ər-ə-kăr'ē-ŏn', -ən)  |
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| Medical Dictionary: het·er·o·kar·y·on |
| Veterinary Dictionary: heterokaryon |
A single binucleate cell formed by fusing one cell with another. Fusion is usually accomplished by using inactivated parainfluenza virus or polyethylene glycol, both of which alter the cell membranes in such a way as to induce fusion.
| Wikipedia: Heterokaryon |
A heterokaryon is a cell that contains multiple, genetically different nuclei. This can occur naturally, such as in the mycelium of fungi during sexual reproduction, or artificially as formed by the experimental fusion of two genetically different cells. A medical example is a heterokaryon composed of nuclei from Hurler syndrome and Hunter syndrome. Both of these diseases result in problems in mucopolysaccharide metabolism however a heterokaryon of nuclei from both of these diseases exhibits normal mucopolysaccharide metabolism proving that the two syndromes affect different proteins and so can correct each other in the heterokaryon. MedicineNet.com
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Medical Dictionary. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Read more |
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| Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Heterokaryon". Read more |
