Neurites from PC12 cells are connected to each other by synapse-like structures.
Synapse
; 64(10): 765-72, 2010 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20698031
ABSTRACT
PC12 cells have been used as a model of sympathetic neurons. Nerve growth factor (NGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and cAMP induce neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells. cAMP induced a greater number of neurites than did NGF. In particular, we attempted to elucidate whether PC12 cell neurites, induced by several factors including NGF, bFGF, and cAMP, form synapses, and whether each neurite has presynaptic and postsynaptic properties. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we observed that neurites are connected to each other. The connected regions presented dense core vesicles and a clathrin-coated membrane invagination. In addition, typical maker proteins for axon and dendrite were identified by an immuno-staining method. Tau-1, an axonal marker in neurons, was localized at a high concentration in the terminal tips of neurites from PC12 cells, which were connected to neurite processes containing MAP-2, a dendritic marker in neurons. Furthermore, neurites containing SV2 and synaptotagmin, markers of synaptic vesicles, were in contact with neurites harboring drebrin, a marker of the postsynaptic membrane, suggesting that neurites from PC12 cells induced by NGF, bFGF, and cAMP may form synapse-like structures. Tat-C3 toxin, a Rho inhibitor, augmented neurite outgrowth induced by NGF, bFGF, and cAMP. Tat-C3 toxin together with neurotrophins also exhibited synapse-like structures between neurites. However, it remains to be studied whether RhoA inhibition plays a role in the formation of synapse-like structures in PC12 cells.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sinapses
/
Neuritos
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Synapse
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article