Use of global assays to understand clinical phenotype in congenital factor VII deficiency.

Congenital factor VII (FVII) deficiency is characterized by genotypic variability and phenotypic heterogeneity. Traditional screening and factor assays are unable to reliably predict clinical bleeding phenotype and guide haemorrhage prevention strategy. Global assays of coagulation and fibrinolysis may better characterize overall haemostatic balance and aid in haemorrhagic risk assessment. We evaluated the ability of novel global assays to better understand clinical bleeding severity in congenital FVII deficiency. Subjects underwent central determination of factor VII activity (FVII:C) as well as clot formation and lysis (CloFAL) and simultaneous thrombin and plasmin generation (STP) global assay analysis. A bleeding score was assigned to each subject through medical chart review. Global assay parameters were analysed with respect to bleeding score and FVII:C. Subgroup analyses were performed on paediatric subjects and subjects with FVII ≥ 1 IU dL(-1). CloFAL fibrinolytic index (FI2 ) inversely correlated with FVII:C while CloFAL maximum amplitude (MA) and STP maximum velocity of thrombin generation (VT max) varied directly with FVII:C. CloFAL FI2 directly correlated with bleeding score among subjects in both the total cohort and paediatric subcohort, but not among subjects with FVII ≥ 1 IU dL(-1) . Among subjects with FVII ≥ 1 IU dL(-1), STP time to maximum velocity of thrombin generation and time to maximum velocity of plasmin generation inversely correlated with bleeding score. These preliminary findings suggest a novel potential link between a hyperfibrinolytic state in bleeding severity and congenital FVII deficiency, an observation that should be further explored.

Nerve growth factor prevents the death and stimulates the neuronal differentiation of clonal PC12 pheochromocytoma cells in serum-free medium.

The PC12 clone is a noradrenergic cell line derived from a rat pheochromocytoma. In culture medium containing horse serum, PC12 cells undergo mitosis; when nerve growth factor (NGF) is included in the medium, the cells cease multiplication and extend neuritis. It is shown here: (a) that PC12 cells are not viable in serum-free medium. When serum is withdrawn, 90 percent of the cells die within 4-6 days and 99 percent by 2-3 wk. (b) If NGF is added at the time of serum withdrawal, the cells undergo one doubling and remain viable for at least 1 mo. (c) Addition of NGF to cultures after more than 2 days in serum-free conditions results in maintenance of surviving cells, but not in an increase in cell number. (d) NGD also induces neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells in serum-free medium. (e) NGF-treated cells exhibit much less cell-cell and neurite-neurite aggregation in the absence than in the presence of serum. (f) The apparent minimum level of 2.5S NGF required for PC12 survival and morphological differentiation in serum-free medium is about 10 ng/ml (approximately 0.4 nM). (g) Withdrawal of NGF in serum-free conditions results in degeneration of neurites and loss of cell viability. (h) Experiments with campotothecin demonstrate that the effects of NGF on survival and neurite outgrowth may be uncoupled and suggest that the survival effects are transcriptionally independent. The present results also suggest that PC12 cells have a requirement for NGF (similar to that of normal sympathetic neurons) and that serum may substitute for this requirement. In addition, the present system of maintaining a highly differentiated cell line in a chemically defined medium suggests certain experimental opportunities.

Aurintricarboxylic acid rescues PC12 cells and sympathetic neurons from cell death caused by nerve growth factor deprivation: correlation with suppression of endonuclease activity.

Past studies have shown that serum-free cultures of PC12 cells are a useful model system for studying the neuronal cell death which occurs after neurotrophic factor deprivation. In this experimental paradigm, nerve growth factor (NGF) rescues the cells from death. It is reported here that serum-deprived PC12 cells manifest an endonuclease activity that leads to internucleosomal cleavage of their cellular DNA. This activity is detected within 3 h of serum withdrawal and several hours before any morphological sign of cell degeneration or death. NGF and serum, which promote survival of the cells, inhibit the DNA fragmentation. Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA), a general inhibitor of nucleases in vitro, suppresses the endonuclease activity and promotes long-term survival of PC12 cells in serum-free cultures. This effect appears to be independent of macromolecular synthesis. In addition, ATA promotes long-term survival of cultured sympathetic neurons after NGF withdrawal. ATA neither promotes nor maintains neurite outgrowth. It is hypothesized that the activation of an endogenous endonuclease could be responsible for neuronal cell death after neurotrophic factor deprivation and that growth factors could promote survival by leading to inhibition of constitutively present endonucleases.

Internucleosomal DNA cleavage and neuronal cell survival/death.

Serum-free PC12 cell cultures have been used to study the mechanisms of neuronal death after neurotrophic factor deprivation. We previously reported that PC12 cells undergo "apoptotic" internucleosomal DNA cleavage after withdrawal of trophic support. Here, we have used a sensitive method to detect PC12 cell DNA fragmentation within three hrs of serum removal and have exploited this assay to examine several aspects regarding the mechanisms of neuronal survival/death. Major advantages of this assay are that it permits acute experiments to be performed well before other manifest signs of cell death and under conditions that cannot be applied chronically. We find that this apopotic DNA fragmentation is distinct from the random DNA degradation that occurs during necrotic death. Major observations include the following: (a) There is a good correlation between the ability of trophic substances to promote PC12 cell survival and to inhibit early DNA fragmentation. (b) Phorbol ester, an activator of PKC, acutely suppresses DNA fragmentation, but does not promote long-term survival or inhibition of endonuclease activity when applied chronically due to its downregulation of PKC. (c) Cells undergoing apoptosis within 3 h of serum withdrawal have a "commitment point" of only 1.0-1.5 h beyond which they can no longer be rescued by NGF. (d) Aurin, a non-carboxylic analog of the endonuclease inhibitor ATA, also inhibits DNA fragmentation and promotes short-term survival of PC12 cells. (e) Macromolecular synthesis is not required for DNA fragmentation or for NGF to prevent this event. (f) Extracellular Ca2+ is not required for internucleosomal DNA cleavage caused by serum withdrawal or for suppression of this by NGF. (g) DNA fragmentation can also be detected in cultures of rat sympathetic neurons as early as 10 h after removal of NGF. As in PC12 cell cultures, this precedes morphological signs of cell death.

Changes in the colchicine susceptibility of microtubules associated with neurite outgrowth: studies with nerve growth factor-responsive PC12 pheochromocytoma cells.

The PC12 line of nerve growth factor (NGF)-responsive rat pheochromocytoma cells was used as a model system to determine whether properties of microtubules change during neurite growth and maturation. In the absence of NGF, PC12 cells lack processes. After several days with NGF, PC12 cells begin extending neurites and, by 2-3 wk with NGF, PC12 cells have long (approximately 1 mm), highly branched neurites. We examined the effect of colchicine on microtubules of PC12 cells grown without NGF or with NGF for 1 or 21 d. PC12 cells grown under the various conditions were exposed to 50 microM colchicine for 1 or 6 h, and were then assayed for their content of polymerized tubulin using a biochemical assay. Microtubule levels in drug-treated cultures were compared to those in non-drug-treated control sister cultures. PC12 cells grown without NGF or with NGF for 1 d were depleted of MT by 1 h with colchicine. In contrast, microtubule levels in long-term NGF-treated cells exposed to colchicine for 6 h were reduced to only approximately 57% of those in control cells. Control experiments indicated that the observed differential susceptibility to colchicine was not due to differences in colchicine uptake or to the effects of colchicine on cell viability. These observations suggest that microtubules of PC12 cells grown without NGF or with NGF for 21 d differ in their properties. Such differences may be related to one or more of the changes in structure and/or motility that result from treatment with NGF.

Sequential phosphorylation of chartin microtubule-associated proteins is regulated by the presence of microtubules.

Chartins are a unique class of three families of microtubule-associated proteins, each consisting of several isoforms possessing varying degrees of phosphorylation. The most highly phosphorylated chartin isoforms are highly enriched in neuronal cell fractions containing microtubules and there is evidence that their phosphorylation may play a role in promoting neurite outgrowth. The present work describes the relationship between the phosphorylation state of chartins and the presence of intact microtubules in long-term cultures of NGF-treated, neurite-bearing PC12 cells. Cultures were depleted of microtubules by exposure to high concentrations of depolymerizing agents for 2-24 h. Radiolabeling of cellular proteins with [32P]orthophosphate or [35S]methionine revealed that both the ongoing and steady-state phosphorylation of chartins is markedly altered under these conditions. Two-dimensional isoelectric focusing by SDS-PAGE of whole cell extracts demonstrated that the more acidic, highly phosphorylated isoforms are diminished with a concomitant increase in the more basic, less phosphorylated isoforms. These phosphorylation changes were relatively specific for the chartins and were not observed for phosphorylated MAP 1.2, phospho-beta-tubulin, or most other phosphoproteins. Thus, the phosphorylation state of chartins, but not of other phosphoproteins, is regulated by the presence of native microtubules. Despite depolymerization of microtubules, neurites remained extended for at least 24 h. Neurite elongation, however, was arrested. Microtubules, therefore, may be required for extension, but not for short-term maintenance of well-established neurites. Taxol, which promotes tubule assembly and stability, does not, conversely, drive phosphorylation of the chartins. Instead, taxol appeared to decrease the turnover of phosphate in microtubule-associated, acidic chartin isoforms. These data suggest several models as to how chartin phosphorylation is regulated in neurite-bearing cells and indicate that phosphorylation of cytoplasmic and microtubule-associated chartins occurs via different mechanisms.

Differential inhibition of nerve growth factor responses by purine analogues: correlation with inhibition of a nerve growth factor-activated protein kinase.

Purine analogues were used in this study to dissect specific steps in the mechanism of action of nerve growth factor (NGF). Protein kinase N (PKN) is an NGF-activated serine protein kinase that is active in the presence of Mn++. The activity of PKN was inhibited in vitro by purine analogues, the most effective of which was 6-thioguanine (apparent Ki = 6 microM). Several different criteria indicated that 6-thioguanine is not a general inhibitor of protein kinases and that it is relatively specific for PKN. For instance, it did not affect protein kinases A or C and was without effect on the overall level and pattern of protein phosphorylation by either intact or broken PC12 cells. Since purine analogues rapidly and effectively enter cells, they were also assessed for their actions on both transcription-dependent and -independent responses of PC12 cells to NGF. NGF-promoted neurite regeneration was reversibly suppressed by the analogues and at concentrations very similar to those that inhibit PKN. Comparable concentrations of the analogues also blocked NGF-stimulated induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity. In contrast to its inhibition of neurite regeneration and ornithine decarboxylase induction, 6-thioguanine did not suppress NGF-dependent induction of c-fos mRNA expression. Thus, purine analogues such as 6-thioguanine appear capable of differentially suppressing some, but not other actions of NGF. These findings suggest the presence of multiple pathways in the NGF mechanism and that these can be dissected with purine analogues. Moreover, these data are compatible with a role for protein kinase N in certain of these pathways.

Pit formation and rapid changes in surface morphology of sympathetic neurons in response to nerve growth factor.

Scanning and transmission electron microscope studies were carried out on the rapid cell surface responses of cultured newborn rat sympathetic neurons to nerve growth factor (NGF), a substance that promotes their survival and differentiation. The somas of sympathetic neurons continuously exposed to NGF or deprived of the factor for 4-5 h have a very smooth surface. After readdition of NGF to the latter type of cultures, there is rapidly initiated a transient, sequential change in the cell surface. Microvilli and small ruffles appear within 30 s and are most prominent by 1 min. By 3 min of exposure, the microvilli and ruffles decrease in prominence, and by 7 min the somal surface is again smooth. By 30 s after NGF readdition, as increase in the number of 60- tp 130-nm coated pits is also detectable. This increase reaches a maximum of about threefold from 0.5 to 3 min and then gradually decreases. Alterations in the surface did not occur on the nonneuronal cell types present in the cultures and were not observed in response to another basic protein (cytochrome c) or to physical manipulation. Changes in cell surface architecture induced by NGF in normal sympathetic neurons and, as previously described, in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells indicate that such responses may present or reflect primary events in the mechanism of the factor's action.

Lithium ion inhibits nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth and phosphorylation of nerve growth factor-modulated microtubule-associated proteins.

LiCl (2.5-20 mM) reversibly suppressed nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth by cultured rat PC 12 pheochromocytoma cells. Similar concentrations of LiCl also reversibly blocked NGF-dependent regeneration of neurites by PC12 cells that had been primed by long-term pre-exposure to NGF and by cultured newborn mouse sympathetic neurons. In contrast, transcription-dependent responses of PC12 cells to NGF such as priming and induction of the NGF-inducible large external glycoprotein, occurred despite the presence of Li+. SDS PAGE analysis of total cellular phosphoproteins (labeled by 2-h exposure to 32P-orthophosphate) from neurite-bearing primed PC12 cells revealed that Li+ reversibly inhibited the phosphorylation of a band of Mr 64,000 that was barely detectable in NGF-untreated PC12 cells. However, Li+ did not appear to affect the labeling of other phosphoproteins in either NGF-primed or untreated PC12 cultures, nor did it affect the rapid increase in phosphorylation of several proteins that occurs when NGF is first added to unprimed cultures. Several criteria indicated that the NGF-inducible phosphoprotein of Mr 64,000 is a microtubule-associated protein (MAP). Of the NGF-inducible phosphorylated MAPs that have been detected in PC12 cells (Mr 64,000, 72,000, 80,000, and 320,000), several (Mr 64,000, 72,000, and 80,000) were found to be substantially less phosphorylated in the presence of Li+. Neither a phorbol ester tumor promotor nor permeant cAMP analogs reversed the inhibitory effects of Li+ on neurite outgrowth or on phosphorylation of the component of Mr 64,000. Microtubules are a major and required constituent of neurites, and MAPs may regulate the assembly and stability of neuritic microtubules. The observation that Li+ selectively inhibits NGF-induced neurite outgrowth and MAP phosphorylation suggests a possible causal relationship between these two events.

Regulation of microtubule composition and stability during nerve growth factor-promoted neurite outgrowth.

We have used the nerve growth factor (NGF)-responsive line of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells as a model system to study microtubule specializations associated with neurite outgrowth. PC12 cells treated with NGF cease proliferating and extend neurites. Long-term NGF treatment results in a two- to threefold increase in the proportion of total cellular tubulin that is polymerized in PC12 cells. The increase in this parameter first becomes apparent at 2-4 d with NGF and increases steadily thereafter. Several changes in microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) of PC12 cells also occur after exposure to NGF. In immunoprecipitation assays, we observed the levels of MAP-2 to increase by at least several-fold after treatment with NGF. We also found that the compositions of three MAP classes with apparent Mr of 64K, 67K, and 80K are altered by NGF treatment. These MAPs, recently designated "chartins," are biochemically and immunologically distinct from the similarly-sized tau MAPs (Peng et al., 1985 Brain Res. 361: 200; Magendantz and Solomon, 1985 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 82: 6581). In two-dimensional isoelectric focusing x SDS polyacrylamide gels, each chartin MAP class resolves into a set of proteins of similar apparent Mr but distinct pI. Peptide mapping analyses confirm that the isoelectric variants comprising each chartin MAP class are closely related in primary structure. Several striking differences in the composition of the chartin MAPs of PC12 cells grown with or without NGF were consistently observed. In particular, following longterm NGF treatment, the abundances of the more acidic variants of each chartin MAP class were markedly enhanced relative to the more basic members. This occurs without substantial changes in the abundance of each MAP class as a whole relative to total cell protein. The combined results of in vivo phosphorylation and peptide mapping experiments indicate that the NGF-inducible chartin MAP species are not primary translation products, but are generated posttranslationally, apparently by differential phosphorylation of other chartin MAPs. These observations suggest that NGF treatment of PC12 cells leads to changes in the posttranslational processing of the chartin MAPs. The time course of these changes closely resembles that for the increase in the proportion of cellular tubulin that is polymerized and for neurite outgrowth. One of the important events in the growth and stabilization of neurites appears to be the formation of microtubule bundles that extend from the cell body to the tips of the neurites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Neurite outgrowth in peripherin-depleted PC12 cells.

Peripherin is the major neuronal intermediate filament (IF) protein in PC12 cells and both its synthesis and amount increase during nerve growth factor (NGF) promoted neuronal differentiation. To address the question of the biological function of peripherin in neurite initiation we have used an antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the 5' region of peripherin mRNA to specifically inhibit its transcription. The oligonucleotide blocks both the synthesis of peripherin and its increase in response to NGF. Peripherin was found to be a stable protein with a cellular half-life of approximately 7 d. 6 wk of incubation with the oligonucleotide decreases peripherin to 11% of the level in naive control cells and to 3% of that in NGF-treated control cells. Despite the depletion, NGF elicits apparently normal neurite outgrowth from the oligonucleotide-treated cells. As evaluated by EM, there are few IFs in these cells, either in the cell bodies or neurites. There is no compensatory increase in NF-M, NF-L, or vimentin levels as a result of the inhibition of peripherin synthesis. These findings suggest that peripherin is not required for neurite formation, but is necessary for the formation of a cellular IF network which could be involved in process stability. They also demonstrate the utility of antisense oligonucleotides for the study of proteins with long half-lives.

Regulation of a high molecular weight microtubule-associated protein in PC12 cells by nerve growth factor.

PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells respond to nerve growth factor (NGF) protein by shifting from a chromaffin-cell-like phenotype to a neurite-bearing sympathetic-neuron-like phenotype. Comparison of the phosphoprotein patterns of the cells by SDS PAGE after various times of NGF treatment revealed a high molecular weight (Mr greater than or approximately 300,000) band whose relative intensity progressively increased beyond 2 d of NGF exposure. This effect was blocked by inhibitors of RNA synthesis and did not require neurite outgrowth or substrate attachment. The enhancement by NGF occurred in serum-free medium and was not produced by exposure to epidermal growth factor, insulin, dibutyryl cAMP, or dexamethasone. Several different types of experiments indicated that this phosphoprotein corresponds to a high molecular weight (HMW) microtubule-associated protein (MAP). These included cross-reactivity with antiserum against brain HMW MAPs, co-cycling with microtubules and co-assembly with tubulin in the presence of taxol. The affected species also co-migrated in SDS PAGE gels with brain MAP1 and, unlike MAP2, precipitated upon boiling. Studies with [35S]-methionine-labeled PC12 cells indicated that at least a significant proportion of this effect of NGF was due to increased levels of protein rather than to mere enhancement of phosphorylation. On the basis of the apparent effects of MAPs on the formation and stabilization of microtubules and of the importance of microtubules in production and maintenance of neurites, it is proposed that induction of a HMW MAP may be one of the steps in the mechanism whereby NGF promotes neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, these findings may lead to an understanding of the role of MAP1 in the nervous system.

Comparison of rapid changes in surface morphology and coated pit formation of PC12 cells in response to nerve growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies were carried out on the rapid cell surface response of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells to treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. EGF induced a rapidly initiated series of surface changes identical to those previously observed with NGF. Ruffles appear over the dorsal surface of the cells by 30 s, are prominent at 3 min, and are absent by 7 min. Microvilli disappear as dorsal ruffles become prominent. Peripheral ruffles are seen by 3 min, are prominent on most of the cells by 7 min, and are virtually absent by 15 min. Large blebs are present on 50% of the cells by 2 h and are markedly decreased by 4 h. Within 30 s after NGF or EGF addition, an increase in the density of 60-130-nm coated pits per unit membrane is detectable. This reaches a maximum of two- to threefold in from 1 to 3 min and gradually decreases. Combined treatment with NGF and EGF increases surface ruffling and, after an early peak in coated pits which at 3 min is similar in magnitude to that observed for the separately administered factors, maintains a greater number of pits per unit area than either treatment alone. 3-d pretreatment with NGF greatly reduces the response of the cells to EGF both with respect to surface ruffling and coated pit formation while 4-h NGF pretreatment has no effect on the EGF response. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP induced none of the rapidly onsetting changes caused by NGF or EGF, and therefore it seems unlikely that cyclic AMP mediates these surface changes. Changes in cell surface architecture induced by NGF and EGF on PC12 cells and by NGF in normal sympathetic neurons (as previously described) indicates that such responses may be a widespread phenomenon associated with the interaction of at least some peptide growth factors/hormones with their receptors. These responses may represent or reflect primary events in the mechanism by which these factors act.

Mammalian myosin I alpha, I beta, and I gamma: new widely expressed genes of the myosin I family.

A polymerase chain reaction strategy was devised to identify new members of the mammalian myosin I family of actin-based motors. Using cellular RNA from mouse granular neurons and PC12 cells, we have cloned and sequenced three 1.2-kb polymerase chain reaction products that correspond to novel mammalian myosin I genes designated MMI alpha, MMI beta, MMI gamma. The pattern of expression for each of the myosin I's is unique: messages are detected in diverse tissues including the brain, lung, kidney, liver, intestine, and adrenal gland. Overlapping clones representing full-length cDNAs for MMI alpha were obtained from mouse brain. These encode a 1,079 amino acid protein containing a myosin head, a domain with five calmodulin binding sites, and a positively charged COOH-terminal tail. In situ hybridization reveals that MMI alpha is highly expressed in virtually all neurons (but not glia) in the postnatal and adult mouse brain and in neuroblasts of the cerebellar external granular layer. Expression varies in different brain regions and undergoes developmental regulation. Myosin I's are present in diverse organisms from protozoa to vertebrates. This and the expression of three novel members of this family in brain and other mammalian tissues suggests that they may participate in critical and fundamental cellular processes.

Nerve growth factor regulates both the phosphorylation and steady-state levels of microtubule-associated protein 1.2 (MAP1.2).

This study characterizes effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the steady-state level and phosphorylation of a high molecular mass microtubule-associated protein in PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells. Past work showed that NGF significantly raises the relative levels of this phosphoprotein, designated MAP1.2, with a time course similar to that of neurite outgrowth. To study this in greater detail, MAP1.2 in PC12 cell lysates was resolved by SDS-PAGE in gels containing 3.25% acrylamide/4 M urea and identified by comigration with material immunoprecipitated from the lysates by MAP1 antibodies. Quantification by metabolic radiolabeling with [35S]methionine or by silver staining revealed a 3.0-3.5-fold increase in MAP1.2 levels relative to total cell protein after NGF treatment for 2 wk or longer. A partial increase was detectable after 3 d, but not after 2 h of NGF exposure. As measured by incorporation of [32P]phosphate, NGF had a dual effect on MAP1.2. Within 15 min to 2 h, NGF enhanced the incorporation of phosphate into MAP1.2 by two- to threefold relative to total cell phosphoproteins. This value slowly increased thereafter so that by 2 wk or more of NGF exposure, the average enhancement of phosphate incorporation per MAP1.2 molecule was over fourfold. The rapid action of NGF on MAP1.2 could not be mimicked by either epidermal growth factor, a permeant cAMP derivative, phorbol ester, or elevated K+, each of which alters phosphorylation of other PC12 cell proteins. SDS-PAGE revealed multiple forms of MAP1.2 which, based on the effects of alkaline phosphatase on their electrophoretic mobilities, differ, at least in part, in extent of phosphorylation. Before NGF treatment, most PC12 cell MAP1.2 is in more rapidly migrating, relatively poorly phosphorylated forms. After long-term NGF exposure, most is in more slowly migrating, more highly phosphorylated forms. The effects of NGF on the rapid phosphorylation of MAP1.2 and on the long-term large increase in highly phosphorylated MAP1.2 forms could play major functional roles in NGF-mediated neuronal differentiation. Such roles may include effects on microtubule assembly, stability, and cross-linking and, possibly for the rapid effects, nuclear signaling.

Selective inhibition of responses to nerve growth factor and of microtubule-associated protein phosphorylation by activators of adenylate cyclase.

To study the influence of cAMP on cellular responses to nerve growth factor (NGF) and to use elevation of intracellular cAMP to probe the NGF mechanism, cultured PC12 pheochromocytoma cells were exposed to forskolin and cholera toxin. As in other cell types, the latter agents greatly increased PC12 cell cAMP levels. Such treatment also brought about a reversible, dose-dependent suppression of NGF-promoted regeneration of neurites. In support of the role of cAMP in this effect, regeneration blockage by forskolin was potentiated by phosphodiesterase inhibitors. When tested on NGF-stimulated initiation of process outgrowth, cholera toxin and forskolin exerted a dual effect. As in previous studies, these drugs, when applied along with NGF, significantly enhanced the initial formation of short cytoplasmic extensions. However, after approximately 3 d of NGF exposure, at which time such extensions begin to acquire the morphological and ultrastructural features of neurites, these agents suppressed process outgrowth. That is, the neurites were fewer in number, significantly less branched, and much shorter than in control cultures. Such changes also occurred when these drugs were added to cultures that had been pretreated with NGF alone. Whereas forskolin and cholera toxin affect the formation and regeneration of neurites, these drugs did not interfere with the short-latency, transient changes in surface morphology that are triggered by NGF, nor did they inhibit transcription-dependent priming. In contrast, the rapidly occurring NGF-induced phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase was suppressed. Moreover, forskolin and cholera toxin rapidly and selectively blocked the NGF-promoted phosphorylation of a set of microtubule-associated proteins known as chartins. Previous observations have suggested a causal relationship between NGF-induced chartin microtubule-associated protein phosphorylation and the formation and outgrowth of neurites. This is supported by the present data and provides a possible mechanism whereby elevated cAMP may interfere with neurite growth and regeneration.

A nerve growth factor-regulated messenger RNA encodes a new intermediate filament protein.

Differential screening of a cDNA library from the PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cell line previously revealed a clone, clone 73, whose corresponding mRNA is induced by nerve growth factor (NGF). Induction parallels NGF-stimulated PC12 differentiation from a chromaffinlike phenotype to a sympathetic neuronlike phenotype. We report that DNA sequence analysis reveals that clone 73 mRNA encodes an intermediate filament (IF) protein whose predicted amino acid sequence is distinct from the known sequences of other members of the IF protein family. The sequence has highest homology with desmin and vimentin and includes the highly conserved central alpha-helical rod domain with the characteristic heptad repeat of hydrophobic residues, but has lower homology in the amino-terminal head and carboxyl-terminal tail domains. The head domain contains a large number of serine residues which are potential phosphorylation sites. The expression of clone 73 in vivo in the nervous system of the adult rat was investigated by in situ hybridization of clone 73 probes to tissue sections. The mRNA is expressed at high levels in ganglia of the peripheral nervous system, including the superior cervical ganglion (sympathetic), ciliary ganglion (parasympathetic), and dorsal root ganglion (sensory). In the central nervous system, motor nuclei of cranial nerves III, IV, V, VI, VII, X, and XII as well as ventral horn motor neurons and a restricted set of other central nervous system nuclei express the clone 73 mRNA. Tissues apart from those of the nervous system did not in general express the mRNA, with only very low levels detected in adrenal gland. We discuss the implications of these results for the mechanism of NGF-induced PC12 cell differentiation, the pathways of neuronal development in vivo, and the possible function of the clone 73 IF protein and its relationship to other IF proteins.

Differential inhibition of nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor effects on the PC12 pheochromocytoma line.

Tests have been made of the action of the methyltransferase inhibitors 5'-S-methyl adenosine, 5'-S-(2-methyl-propyl)-adenosine, and 3-deaza-adenosine +/- L-homocysteine thiolactone, on nerve growth factor (NGF)-dependent events in the rat pheochromocytoma line PC12. Each of these agents inhibited NGF-dependent neurite outgrowth at concentrations of the order of millimolar. Slow initiation of neurite outgrowth over several days and more rapid regeneration of neurites (congruent to 1 d) were blocked, as was the priming mechanism necessary for genesis of neurites. The inhibitions were reversible in that PC12 cells maintained for several days in the presence of inhibitors grew neurites normally after washout of these agents. Other NGF-dependent responses of the PC12 line (i.e., induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity [over 4 h], enhancement of tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation [over 1 h], and rapid changes in cell surface morphology [30 s onward]) were inhibited by each of the agents. In contrast, corresponding epidermal growth factor-dependent responses in ornithine decarboxylase activity, phosphorylation, and cell surface morphology were not blocked, but instead either unaffected or enhanced, by the methylation inhibitors. These inhibitors did not act by blockade of binding of NGF to high- or low-affinity cell surface receptors, though they partially inhibited internalization of [125I]NGF. The inhibition of rapidly-induced NGF-dependent events and the differential inhibition of responses to NGF and epidermal growth factor imply that the methyltransferase inhibitors specifically block one of the first steps in the mechanistic pathway for NGF.

PC12 cell mutants that possess low- but not high-affinity nerve growth factor receptors neither respond to nor internalize nerve growth factor.

Four mutant PC12 pheochromocytoma cell lines that are nerve growth factor (NGF)-nonresponsive (PC12nnr) have been selected from chemically mutagenized cultures by a double selection procedure: failure both to grow neurites in the presence of NGF and to survive in NGF-supplemented serum-free medium. The PC12nnr cells were deficient in all additional NGF responses surveyed: abatement of cell proliferation, changes in glycoprotein composition, induction of ornithine decarboxylase, rapid changes in protein phosphorylation, and cell surface ruffling. However, PC12nnr cells closely resembled non-NGF-treated PC12 cells in most properties tested: cell size and shape; division rate; protein, phosphoprotein, and glycoprotein composition; and cell surface morphology. All four PC12nnr lines differed from PC12 cells in three ways in addition to failure of NGF response: PC12nnr cells failed to internalize bound NGF by the normal, saturable, high-affinity mechanism present in PC12 cells. The PC12nnr cells bound NGF but entirely, or nearly entirely, at low-affinity sites only, whereas PC12 cells possess both high- and low-affinity NGF binding sites. The responses to dibutyryl cyclic AMP that were tested appeared to be enhanced or altered in the PC12nnr cells compared to PC12 cells. Internalization of, and responses to, epidermal growth factor were normal in the PC12nnr cells ruling out a generalized defect in hormonal binding, uptake, or response mechanisms. These findings are consistent with a causal association between the presence of high-affinity NGF receptors and of NGF responsiveness and internalization. A possible relationship is also suggested between regulation of cAMP responses and regulation of NGF responses or NGF receptor affinity.

Rapid, sequential changes in surface morphology of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells in response to nerve growth factor.

The effect of nerve growth factor (NGF), a substance that promotes the differentiation and maintenance of certain neurons, was studied via scanning electron microscopy utilizing the PC12 clonal NGF-responsive pheochromocytoma cell line. After 2-4 d of exposure to NGF, these cells acquire many of the properties of normal sympathic neurons. However, by phase microscopy, no changes are discernible within the first 12-18 h. Since the primary NGF receptor appears to be a membrane receptor, it seemed likely that some of the initial responses to the factor may be surface related. PC12 cells maintained without NGF are round to ovoid and have numerous microvilli and small blebs. After the addition of NGF, there is a rapidly initiated sequential change in the cell surface. Ruffles appear over the dorsal surface of the cells with 1 min, become prominent by 3 min, and almost disappear by 7 min. Microvilli, conversely, disappear as the dorsal ruffles become prominent. Ruffles are seen at the the periphery of cell at 3 min, are prominent on most of the cells by 7 min and are gone by 15 min. The surface remains smooth from 15 min until 45 min when large blebs appear. The large blebs are present on most cells at 2 h and are gone by 4 h. The surface remains relatively smooth until 6-7 h of NGF treatment, when microvilli reappear as small knobs. These microvilli increase in both number and length to cover the cell surface by 10 h. These changes were not observed with other basic proteins, with alpha-bungarotoxin (which binds specifically to PC12 membranes), and were not affected by an RNA synthesis inhibitor that blocks initiation of neurite outgrowth. Changes in the cell surface architecture appear to be among the earlist NGF responses yet detected and may represent or reflect primary events in the mechanism of the factor's action.