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Nerve growth factor induces adrenergic neuronal differentiation in F9 teratocarcinoma cells

Nature volume 306, pages 265–267 (1983)Cite this article

Abstract

Teratocarcinoma cells have been used as a model to study differentiation and development in vertebrates1–3. Treatment with retinoic acid (RA) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP can in some embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell lines lead to neural differentiation, as judged by neurofilament expression4,5 and by the induction of enzymes involved in cholinergic transmission6,7. Short-term culture of F9 line cells with RA and dibutyryl cyclic AMP results in a biochemically demonstrable rise in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity8. We now report that long-term culture of F9 cells with RA and dibutyryl cyclic AMP induces neurofilament expression, demonstrated by immunofluorescence with specific antibodies. Furthermore, if nerve growth factor (NGF)9 is also added, the developing neurone-like cells exhibit immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase, a rate-limiting enzyme of catecholamine synthesis specific for adrenergic neurones10. Immunoreactivity for Leu-enkephalin-like peptides is also induced. These results suggest that F9 cells can differentiate into cells with adrenergic characteristics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, 00290, Helsinki, 29, Finland

    P. Liesi

  2. Department of Anatomy, University of Helsinki, Siltavuorenpenger 20 A, 00170, Helsinki, 17, Finland

    L. Rechardt

  3. Departments of Medical Biology and Electron Microscopy, University of Helsinki, Siltavuorenpenger 20 A, 00170, Helsinki, 17, Finland

    J. Wartiovaara

Authors
  1. P. Liesi
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  2. L. Rechardt
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  3. J. Wartiovaara
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Liesi, P., Rechardt, L. & Wartiovaara, J. Nerve growth factor induces adrenergic neuronal differentiation in F9 teratocarcinoma cells. Nature 306, 265–267 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/306265a0

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