Serum protein synthesis by somatic cell hybrids.

Serum protein synthesis by rodent hepatomaa x fibroblast, hepatom a x teratocarcinoma, and hepatoma x hepatoma somatic cell hybrids was analyzed by Laurell (rocket) and crossed immunoelectrophoresis. With the hepatoma x fibroblast hybrids, of the nine serum proteins investigated, only transferrin was synthesized by the hybrids (with the exception of one hybrid clone which made albumin). Rat hepatoma (MHC) x mouse teratocarcinoma hybrids did not synthesize transferrin, but one of three clones did produce albumin. Rat hepatopma (Faza) x mouse hepatoma (Hepa 1) hybrids synthesized reduced amounts of albumin and transferrin, compared with the parental hepatoma cell lines. From these studies transferrin synthesis appears to be under different controls from the other serum proteins examined.