Ultrastructural changes in differentiating neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells.

The ultrastructure of differentiating neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells NG108-15 was observed. Cells cultured in growth medium showed undifferentiated features, while cells treated with dBcAMP became round and large, and extended thick long neurites. After 1 week in culture, cells showed features similar to those of normal neurons. The dense cored vesicles with diameters ranging from 60 to 170 nm were observed in differentiated NG108-15 cells, but clear vesicles were usually rare. However, in the case of co-culture with striated myotubes, clusters of clear vesicles appeared in the neurites and terminals. The timecourse of the differentiation process was correlated with results obtained by the electrophysiology and freeze-fracture.