Biosynthesis of plasma-membrane proteins during myogenesis of skeletal muscle in vitro.

1. Surface labelling of plasma-membrane proteins with 125I, catalysed by lactoperoxidase, and radioactive l-fucose incorporation into glycoprotein were used as plasma-membrane markers for skeletal-muscle cells in culture. 2. Plasma membranes were prepared at various stages of myogenesis in vitro and rates of synthesis and accumulation of proteins in the membranes were compared. 3. Increased synthesis and accumulation of a protein of apparent mol.wt. 70000 occurred in the plasma-membrane fraction concomitant with the onset of myoblast fusion. 4. In cultures in which fusion of myoblasts was inhibited by 5'-bromo-2-deoxyuridine, synthesis and accumulation of the protein of apparent mol.wt. 70000 was selectively inhibited. 5. It is suggested the protein of apparent mol.wt. 70000 may be involved in the process of myoblast fusion.