AU - Zhou J
Holtzman DM, Weiner RI, Mobley WC (1994)
Expression of TrkA confers neuron-like responsiveness to nerve growth
factor on an immortalized hypothalamic cell line.
PNAS 91(9):3824-3828
ABSTRACT: The result of nerve growth factor (NGF) actions depends upon the
cells in which it signals. To define how signaling is influenced by
cellular context, it would be useful to examine cells committed to
different fates or cells of a single type at different developmental
stages. Interest in NGF actions on neurons of the central nervous
system led us to examine GT1-1 cells, an immortalized hypothalamic
cell line. GT1-1 cells demonstrated neuronal properties but were
unresponsive to NGF and other neurotrophins. Through transfection,
trkA expression conferred NGF signaling leading to enhanced neuronal
differentiation, including dose-dependent induction of neurite
outgrowth and a rapid transient increase in c-fos and NGFI-A mRNA.
Under serum-free culture conditions, NGF also delayed cell death.
These findings suggest that trkA transfection of neurons and
neuronal precursors can be used to better define NGF signaling.
--
Steve Matheson sfm at neurobio.arizona.edu
"...lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel." --Proverbs