Restoration of the conversion of desmosterol to cholesterol in L-cells after hybridization with human fibroblasts.

Hybrids between different human cells (which synthesize cholesterol) and mouse cells (whose end-product of sterol synthesis is desmosterol) were analyzed for the ability to convert desmosterol to cholesterol. Conversion of [(14)C]desmosterol to cholesterol and incorporation of [(14)C]acetate into the end-product sterol were studied in the parental and hybrid cells. Concordant segregation of the conversion of desmosterol to cholesterol and the human chromosome F-20 was observed.