Differentiation of Skeletal Muscle Cells in Culture

Abstract

The current knowledge of skeletal muscle cultures and the molecular events taking place during muscle differentiation in vitro are reviewed. Skeletal muscle cells differentiate in a unique sequence. Mononucleated precursor cells (myoblasts), which are obtained either from embryonic muscle tissues (primary muscle cultures) or from muscle cell lines, divide exponentially in culture. After cessation of division, myoblasts start to fuse forming multinucleate myotubes. Subsequently, the myotubes develop myofilaments and cross-striations. In this review the concept of fusion is discussed in relation Abbreviations: ACh, acetylcholine; AChE, acetylcholine esterase; T-system, tubular system; SR, sarcoplasmic reticulum; LC, light chain. © 1982, Japan Society for Cell Biology. All rights reserved.