C2C12

C2C12 is an immortalized

osteoblasts

, and myogenesis, to express various target proteins, and to explore mechanistic biochemical pathways.

Morphology

tissue regeneration post-injury or after tissue wasting due to disease or ICU rehabilitation

Uses in research

C2C12 cells have been shown to effectively incorporate exogenous cDNA and nucleic acids by transfection. In the piloting research originally conducted by Yaffe and Saxel, C2C12 were obtained through serial passage of myoblasts cultured from the thigh muscle of C3H mice after crush injury. In their study, a set of C2C12 cells were cultured from normal mouse myoblasts, which were cultured from two-month-old C3H mice after crush injury. Within two days, the normal cells differentiated into spindle-shaped mononucleated myoblasts. After four days, multinucleated myotube networks formed, and a few days after, sarcomeres and Z-lines could be observed.^[6] In contrast, the dystrophic cells formed shortened fibers covered in fibroblasts, a hallmark of muscle wasting.^[1]

C2C12 cells demonstrate rapid development and maturation into functional

myosin heavy chain protein, in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells has been shown.^[8] C2C12 cells were used to elucidate inactivated X chromosome (Xi) replication during early S-phase of the cell cycle and is regulated epigenetically.^[9]

C2C12 cells are especially convenient for studying the cell cycle due to its high division rate.