Elena Kashuba et al.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 106(47), 19866-19871 (2009-11-12)
We report that the overexpression of mitochondrial ribosomal protein MRPS18-2 (S18-2) can immortalize primary rat embryonic fibroblasts (REFs). The immortalized cells (18IM) lose contact inhibition, form foci, and are capable of anchorage-independent growth. Concurrently, mesodermal markers, such as vimentin, smooth