epidermal-growth-factor and Pheochromocytoma

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Catecholamines; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Humans; Keratoderma, Palmoplantar, Diffuse; Male; Middle Aged; Paraneoplastic Syndromes; Pheochromocytoma

In a previous study, we show that stimulation of chemotaxis in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells by nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) requires activation of the RAS-ERK signaling pathway. In this study, we compared the threshold levels of ERK activation required for EGF and NGF-stimulated chemotaxis in PC12 cells. The threshold ERK activity required for NGF to stimulate chemotaxis was approximately 30% lower than that for EGF. PD98059 treatment inhibited EGF stimulation of growth and chemotaxis; however, stimulation of chemotaxis required an EGF concentration approximately 10 times higher than for stimulation of PC12 cell growth. Thus, ERK-dependent cellular functions can be differentially elicited by the concentration of EGF. Also, treatment of PC12 cells with the PI3-K inhibitor LY294002 reduced ERK activation by NGF; thus, higher NGF concentrations were required to initiate chemotaxis and to achieve the same maximal chemotactic response seen in untreated PC12 cells. Therefore, the threshold NGF concentration to stimulate chemotaxis could be adjusted by the crosstalk between the ERK and PI3-K pathways, and the contributions of PI3-K and ERK to signal chemotaxis varied with the concentrations of NGF used. In comparison, LY294002 treatment had no effect on ERK activation by EGF, but the chemotactic response was reduced at all the concentrations of EGF tested indicating that NGF and EGF differed in the utilization of ERK and PI3-K to signal chemotaxis in PC12 cells.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Chemotaxis; Chromones; Differential Threshold; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Epidermal Growth Factor; Flavonoids; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Morpholines; Nerve Growth Factor; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Rats; Signal Transduction

We reported previously that normal Huntingtin is associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF) signaling complex (Liu, Y. F., Deth, C. R., and Devys, D. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 8121-8124). To investigate the potential role of normal and polyglutamine-expanded Huntingtin in the regulation of growth factor receptor-mediated cellular signaling and biological function, we stably transfected full-length Huntingtin containing 16, 48, or 89 polyglutamine repeats into PC12 cells where cellular signaling mechanisms, mediated by nerve growth factor (NGF) or EGF receptors, are well characterized. Expression of polyglutamine-expanded Huntingtin, but not normal Huntingtin, leads to a dramatic morphological change. In clones carrying the mutated Huntingtin, both NGF and EGF receptor-mediated activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and Akt are significantly attenuated, and NGF receptor-mediated neurite outgrowth is blocked. Co-immunoprecipitation studies show that the associations of NGF or EGF receptors with growth factor receptor-binding protein 2 (Grb2) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase are significantly inhibited. NGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of NGF receptors (TrkA) is also consistently suppressed. Our data demonstrate that polyglutamine-expanded Huntingtin disrupts cellular signaling mediated by both EGF and NGF receptors in PC12 cells. It is known that Huntington's disease patients exhibit an extremely low incidence of a variety of cancers and are deficient in glucose metabolism. Thus, our results may reflect an important molecular mechanism for the pathogenesis of the disease.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Glutamine; Humans; Huntingtin Protein; Huntington Disease; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Mutation; Nerve Growth Factor; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Nuclear Proteins; PC12 Cells; Peptides; Pheochromocytoma; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Rats; Receptors, Growth Factor; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; Signal Transduction; Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion

In an effort to identify genes involved in neuronal differentiation, we have used representational difference analysis (RDA) to clone cDNAs that are preferentially induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) vs. epidermal growth factor (EGF) in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. We now report the cloning of a previously unknown primary response gene, NID67. In addition to a robust induction by NGF and FGF, both of which cause PC12 cells to differentiate, NID67 is strongly induced by forskolin, A23187 and ATP. EGF, TPA and KCl induce NID67 only weakly. NID67 mRNA is most abundant in heart, ovary and adrenal. Modest levels are present in most brain regions, testis, thyroid, thymus, pituitary, kidney and intestine; little NID67 is present in skeletal muscle and cerebellum. The NID67 cDNA contains a 180 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a 60 amino acid protein. The central 29 amino acids are very hydrophobic and very likely comprise a transmembrane domain. Mouse and human NID67 cDNAs contain an ORF similar to NID67; the rat and human protein sequences are 85% identical whereas the rat and mouse sequences are 92% identical. In vitro transcription and translation reactions confirmed that the ORF we identified produces a 6000 Da protein product. Several small membrane proteins are similar to NID67; they contain a transmembrane domain and little more. All of these proteins participate in forming or regulating ion channels. NID67 may play a similar role in cellular physiology.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cell Differentiation; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5; Colforsin; Culture Media, Serum-Free; DNA, Complementary; DNA, Neoplasm; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Ion Channels; Ionophores; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Myocardium; Neoplasm Proteins; Nerve Growth Factor; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Open Reading Frames; Organ Specificity; Ovary; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Potassium Chloride; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Rats; Second Messenger Systems; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

We identify and characterize two classes of immediate-early genes: (i) genes, induced by depolarization in neurons, that play a role in depolarization-induced neuronal plasticity and (ii) genes, induced in neuronal precursors by neurotrophins, that play a causal role in neurotrophin-directed neuronal differentiation. We use rat PC12 pheochromocytoma cells to identify (i) genes preferentially induced by [depolarization or forskolin] versus [Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) or Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)] and (ii) genes preferentially induced by NGF versus EGF. We describe (i) a collection of genes preferentially induced by depolarization/forskolin in PC12 cells and by kainic acid in vivo, and (ii) a collection of genes preferentially induced by NGF. The synaptotagmin IV gene encodes a synaptic vesicle protein whose level is modulated by depolarization. NGF preferentially induces the urokinase-plasminogen activator receptor in PC12 cells. Antisense oligonucleotide and anti-UPAR antibody experiments demonstrate that NGF-induced UPAR expression is required for NGF-driven PC12 cell differentiation.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Colforsin; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gene Expression Regulation; Genes, Immediate-Early; Kainic Acid; Male; Nerve Growth Factors; Neuronal Plasticity; Neurons; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Synapses

PC12 and INS-1 cells both express the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors trkA and p75NTR and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF). In PC12 cells, NGF treatment initiates a signaling cascade that ultimately leads to a change of the genetic program of the cell. We have investigated the role of NGF in regulating gene transcription in PC12 and INS-1 cells, in order to define if there are NGF-regulated genes per se. Furthermore, to distinguish between growth factor stimulation via receptor tyrosine kinases in general and NGF-specific changes in gene transcription, we analyzed the effects of EGF on gene transcription. First, we tested the biological activities of fusion proteins consisting of the DNA-binding domain of the yeast transcription factor GAL4 and the phosphorylation-dependent activation domains of the transcription factors Elk1, CREB, ATF2 and c-jun in NGF- or EGF-treated PC12 cells. We found a striking increase in the transcriptional activity of the GAL4-Elk1 fusion protein that is a major substrate for the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK). This effect was observed in NGF- as well as in EGF-treated PC12 cells. In INS-1 cells, however, the activity of the GAL4-Elk1 fusion protein was induced by NGF, but not by EGF. The effects of NGF and EGF on gene transcription were subsequently studied with plasmids containing reporter genes under control of the Egr-1, c-jun, HES-1 or Bc12 regulatory sequences. NGF stimulated Egr-1 promoter activities in PC12 and INS-1 cells, although the effect was much more pronounced in PC12 cells than in INS-1 cells. EGF also stimulated Egr-1 promoter activity in both PC12 and INS-1 cells. Stimulation of c-jun promoter activity by NGF was observed only in PC12 cells. Deletion mutagenesis demonstrated the importance of the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response elements within the c-jun promoter for basal and NGF-mediated transcriptional induction. Likewise, NGF activated HES1 and Bcl2 P1 promoter activities in PC12 cells but not in INS-1 cells and EGF did not show any effects on these promoters. We conclude that in PC12 and INS-1 cells, NGF signaling leads to an activation of the ERK subtype of mitogen-activated protein kinases in the nucleus and a subsequent activation of Egr-1 gene transcription. The NGF-induced transcription of the c-jun, HES1 and Bc12 genes is, in contrast, cell type-specific, indicating that NGF can trigger different gene expression programs dependent on the signaling path

Topics: Activating Transcription Factor 2; Animals; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors; Cell Nucleus; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; DNA-Binding Proteins; Early Growth Response Protein 1; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; ets-Domain Protein Elk-1; Gene Expression Regulation; Homeodomain Proteins; Humans; Immediate-Early Proteins; Insulinoma; Nerve Growth Factor; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; Rats; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor; Receptor, trkA; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factor HES-1; Transcription Factors; Transcriptional Activation; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Conditioned medium from PC12 cells incubated with retinoic acid (RA) increases [3H]thymidine incorporation in normal rat kidney (NRK) fibroblasts and 3D9 epithelial cells. The medium also causes anchorage-independent growth of NRK cells, which is strongly potentiated either in the presence of EGF or after activation of latent forms of transforming growth factors (TGFs) by acidification. These results suggest that RA regulates the release of more than one growth factor by PC12 cells. Conditioned media from control or NGF-treated PC12 cells causes growth of NRK cells in soft agar only after acidification. An increase in expression of the TGF-beta1 gene is coincident with NGF-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. In addition, RA also causes a dose- and time-dependent increase in content of TGF-beta1 transcripts. This increase is, at least in part, secondary to transcriptional activation. Sequences responsible for the effect of RA and NGF are located in the 5'-flanking region of the TGF-beta1 gene. The TFG-beta1 gene has two promoters and in transient transfection assays RA and NGF significantly enhance the activity of constructs containing the second promoter. High-affinity TGF-beta1 receptors were undetectable in PC12 cells both before and after NGF or RA treatment. RA and NGF decrease PC12 cell proliferation and a neutralizing anti-TGF-beta1 antibody does not reverse this inhibition. In summary, an increase in expression and secretion of TGF-beta1 accompanies RA and NGF-induced PC12 cell growth arrest, but TGF-beta1 does not play an autocrine role in this inhibition.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell Division; Cell Line; Culture Media, Conditioned; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelium; Fibroblasts; Kidney; Kinetics; Mice; Mink; Nerve Growth Factors; Neurons; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Recombinant Proteins; Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; Transcription, Genetic; Transfection; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Tretinoin

Nerve growth factor (NGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), dibutyryl cAMP and forskolin, known differentiating agents for pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, induced sustained activation of sphingosine kinase, the enzyme responsible for the formation of the sphingolipid second messenger, sphingosine-1-phosphate, which mediates the mitogenic effects of certain growth factors. In contrast, epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-1, which stimulate proliferation of PC12 cells, induced only small and transient increases in sphingosine kinase activity. Of the growth factors examined, NGF was the most potent activator of sphingosine kinase, inducing a 4-fold increase in Vmax. Sphingosine kinase activity induced by NGF, but not FGF, was blocked by the protein kinase inhibitor K252a when added simultaneously, with minimal effect when added after 60 min. Thus, activation of sphingosine kinase may have an important role in neural differentiation.

Topics: Animals; Carbazoles; Carrier Proteins; Cytosol; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Growth Substances; Indole Alkaloids; Membrane Proteins; Nerve Growth Factors; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurons; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); Rats; Receptor, trkA; Time Factors

The cellular homologs of the v-Crk oncogene product consist primarily of Src homology region 2 (SH2) and 3 (SH3) domains. v-Crk overexpression causes cell transformation and elevation of tyrosine phosphorylation in fibroblasts and accelerates differentiation of PC-12 cells in response to nerve growth factor (NGF). To further explore the role of Crk in NGF-induced PC-12 cell differentiation, we found that both NGF and epidermal growth factor stimulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of endogenous Crk II. Moreover, hormone stimulation enhanced the specific association of Crk proteins with the tyrosine-phosphorylated p130Cas, the major phosphotyrosine-containing protein in cells transformed with v-Crk. This interaction is mediated by the SH2 domain of Crk and can be inhibited with a phosphopeptide containing the Crk-SH2 binding motif. Furthermore, the Crk-SH2 domain binds tyrosine-phosphorylated paxillin, a cytoskeletal protein, following treatment of PC-12 cells with NGF or epidermal growth factor. These data suggest that Crk functions in a number of signaling processes in PC-12 cells.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Crk-Associated Substrate Protein; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Molecular Sequence Data; Nerve Growth Factors; Oncogene Protein v-crk; PC12 Cells; Peptide Fragments; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphopeptides; Phosphoproteins; Phosphorylation; Phosphotyrosine; Proteins; Rats; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Retinoblastoma Protein; Retinoblastoma-Like Protein p130; Retroviridae Proteins, Oncogenic; Tyrosine

Unlike nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) does not induce neuronal differentiation but promotes proliferation of the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. We found that PC12h-R, a subclone of PC12 cells, differentiated into neuron-like cells in response to EGF as well as to NGF. PC12h-R cells treated with EGF extended neurites, attenuated cell proliferation, and increased the levels of tyrosine hydroxylase protein synthesis and of acetylcholinesterase activity as those treated with NGF. The EGF-induced differentiation of PC12h-R cells was not mediated by the indirect activation of p140trkA by EGF. In addition, EGF induced the sustained tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, and 46 and 52 kDa proteins, and the prolonged activation of MAP kinases in PC12h-R cells compared with the parent PC12h, which does not show EGF-induced differentiation. The response of PC12h-R cells to EGF was not simply due to an increase in the level of EGF receptor protein. These results indicated that the duration of EGF-induced signaling might determine the cellular response of PC12 cells between cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cell Differentiation; Cell Division; Cell Survival; Clone Cells; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Kinetics; Nerve Growth Factors; Neurites; Neurons; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphoproteins; Phosphorylation; Phosphotyrosine; Rats; Signal Transduction

Fetal antigen 1 (FA1) is a glycoprotein containing six epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats. It is closely similar to the protein translated from the human delta-like (dlk) cDNA and probably constitutes a proteolytically processed form of dlk. dlk is homologous to the Drosophila homeotic proteins delta and notch and to the murine preadipocyte differentiation factor Pref-1. These proteins participate in determining cell fate choices during differentiation. We now report that FA1 immunoreactivity is present in a number of neuroectodermally derived tumours as well as in pancreatic endocrine tumours. A negative correlation between FA1 and glucagon immunoreactants in these tumours prompted a reexamination of FA1 immunoreactants during fetal pancreatic development. At the earliest stages of development, FA1 was expressed by most of the non-endocrine parenchymal cells and, with ensuing development, gradually disappeared from these cells and became restricted to insulin-producing beta cells. Throughout development FA1 was not detected in endocrine glucagon, somatostatin or pancreatic polypeptide cells. Moreover, developing insulin cells that coexpressed glucagon were negative for FA1. Thus, there was a negative correlation between FA1 and glucagon both in tumours and during development. These results, together with FA1/dlk's similarity with homeotic proteins, point to a role of FA1 in islet cell differentiation.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Endocrine Gland Neoplasms; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fetus; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Glucagon; Glucagonoma; Glycoproteins; Humans; Insulin; Insulinoma; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Pancreas; Pheochromocytoma; Somatostatin; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell line is a model for studying the mechanism of growth factor action. Both epidermal growth factor and nerve growth factor stimulate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in these cells. Recent data suggest that the transient activation of MAP kinase may trigger proliferation, whereas sustained activation triggers differentiation in these cells. We have tested this model by asking whether agents that stimulate MAP kinase without inducing differentiation can act additively to trigger differentiation. Neither forskolin nor epidermal growth factor can stimulate differentiation, yet both activate MAP kinase in these cells. Together, their actions on MAP kinase are synergistic. Cells treated with both agents differentiate, measured morphologically and by the induction of neural-specific genes. We propose that cellular responses to growth factor action are dependent not only on the activation of growth factor receptors by specific growth factors but on synchronous signals that may elevate MAP kinase levels within the same cells.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cell Differentiation; Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Drug Interactions; Epidermal Growth Factor; Kinetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; Metalloendopeptidases; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Neoplasm Proteins; Nerve Growth Factors; Neurons; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Protein Kinases; Rats; Recombinant Proteins; Transcription, Genetic; Transfection

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulate neuronal differentiation, whereas epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes only mitogenic responses in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. The early changes in protein synthesis induced by bFGF, NGF, and EGF in these cells have been determined by two-dimensional PAGE of [35S]methionine-labeled proteins and computerized image analysis. The rate of synthesis of only 29 proteins (out of approximately 1500 identified) was found to be modulated during the first several hours of growth factor stimulation. Individually, 12 were affected by EGF, 23 were affected by bFGF, and 20 were affected by NGF. Eight of these were regulated by all three growth factors, while 10 proteins were commonly induced by bFGF and NGF, in accordance with the essentially identical morphological responses induced by these two factors. In addition, the effects of bFGF and NGF were about equally divided between increases and decreases in the rate of synthesis of individual proteins, whereas EGF caused significantly more positive (increased) responses. All proteins modulated by NGF or FGF alone were negative in their response and those induced by only EGF were positive. Of particular interest, the rate of synthesis of two proteins of 55 kDa and pI 5.45 and 5.50 was dramatically and transiently induced during the first 2 hr of bFGF and NGF treatment and was not affected by EGF. This study indicates that all three factors elicit early increases and decreases in the synthesis of a quite limited number of proteins and provides molecular evidence for the specificity of a differentiative vs. a proliferative growth factor-induced signaling pathway in these cells.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Drug Interactions; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Kinetics; Methionine; Molecular Weight; Neoplasm Proteins; Nerve Growth Factors; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Sulfur Radioisotopes

Bradykinin (BK) induced [3H]norepinephrine [( 3H]NE) release and phosphatidylinositol turnover were investigated in PC12 cells. Induction of [3H]NE release by BK is mediated by activation of BK-B2-receptors, as determined using type specific BK receptor antagonists. BK induces [3H]NE release with a half maximal effective concentration of 30 +/- 0.5 nM, and reaches maximal net fractional release of 9.0 +/- 1% with 200 nM BK. The BK-induced release is Ca2+ dependent, reaching maximal release at 1.0 mM Ca2+, is pertussis toxin insensitive (1 microgram/ml), slightly increased by a dibutyryl cAMP (1 mM) and not affected by inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase pathways. Voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel blockers, verapamil (10 microM), nifedipine (10 microM), and omega-conotoxin (CgTx 10 nM), do not block the BK-induced release. However, a considerable inhibitory effect was obtained by divalent cations Co2+ (ED50 = 0.2 mM) and Ni2+ (ED50(2)+ = 1 mM). These results indicate the involvement of a Ca2+ channel in the BK-mediated release which is different from the L- or N-type voltage sensitive calcium channels. Whereas [Ca2+]ex is essential for the BK-induction of catecholamine release, the rise in level of InsP's induced by BK in the presence or in the absence of [Ca2+]ex is similar up to concentration of 1 microM. This indicates that the rise in InsP's induced by BK is not sufficient to cause neurotransmitter release. Moreover, subsequent addition of Ca2+ to BK-stimulated cells in Ca(2+)-free medium yields no release. Hence, no activity triggered by BK alone could be further stimulated by Ca2+ for induction of release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Bradykinin; Calcium; Calcium Channel Blockers; Cell Line; Cyclic AMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Epidermal Growth Factor; Inositol; Inositol Phosphates; Kinetics; Norepinephrine; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Receptors, Bradykinin; Receptors, Neurotransmitter

Regulation of p11 and annexin II by nerve growth factor, staurosporine, and epidermal growth factor was examined in PC12 rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells using immunoblot analysis. Nerve growth factor, which is known to induce neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, stimulated a five-fold increase in p11 and the higher levels of p11 were characteristic of PC12 cells exposed to nerve growth factor for up to ten days. Nerve growth factor induced an even greater increase (13.6-fold) in annexin II. Staurosporine, a protein kinase inhibitor that at high concentrations induces neurite formation, was as effective as nerve growth factor in increasing the intracellular levels of p11 and annexin II. Epidermal growth factor was less effective than nerve growth factor and staurosporine, producing only a two-fold increase in p11 and a three-fold increase in annexin II. The ineffectiveness of epidermal growth factor in increasing intracellular levels of p11 and annexin II is consistent with the fact that epidermal growth factor does not stimulate neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Evidence presented here suggests that p11 and/or annexin II may play a role in PC12 cell differentiation.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Alkaloids; Animals; Annexin A2; Annexins; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Kinetics; Membrane Proteins; Nerve Growth Factors; Peptide Biosynthesis; Peptides; Pheochromocytoma; Protein Kinase C; Rats; S100 Proteins; Staurosporine

The cellular actions of nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) may be mediated by changes in protein phosphorylation. The tyrosine phosphorylation of two predominant proteins of molecular mass 40 and 42 kDa is seen in PC-12 cells treated with NGF or EGF, correlating with activation of a previously identified serine/threonine protein kinase that phosphorylates microtubule-associated protein (MAP). Stimulation of phosphoprotein (pp) 40 and 42 phosphorylation and MAP kinase activity by NGF but not EGF is selectively attenuated by staurosporine and K-252A. Moreover, the time courses of pp40/42 phosphorylation and MAP kinase activation produced by NGF or EGF are identical. Chromatography of lysates from growth factor-treated cells on ion-exchange or hydrophobic-interaction HPLC resolves MAP kinase into two peaks, neither of which precisely coelutes with pp40 or pp42. One of these peaks (II) exhibits no detectable phosphotyrosine. The other peak (I) has some overlap with pp40. However, the activity residing in both peaks is almost completely inhibited after treatment with alkaline phosphatase, suggesting that, at least, serine/threonine phosphorylation is required for the activity of these enzymes. These data indicate that while tyrosine phosphorylation appears to be a critical early event in NGF action, the role of this modification in activation of MAP kinases remains unclear.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cell Line; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Insulin; Kinetics; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Kinases; Rats; Tyrosine

PC3 is an immediate early gene induced by nerve growth factor in PC12 cells, a cell line derived from a tumor of the adrenal medulla that undergoes neuronal differentiation in the presence of nerve growth factor. This induction is independent of new protein synthesis as it can occur in the presence of cycloheximide. PC3 is also induced with similar kinetics, but at lower levels, by membrane depolarization (both in vivo and in vitro) and epidermal growth factor. It is induced at much lower levels by fibroblast growth factor and interleukin 6. In vivo it is found expressed in tissues, such as brain at embryonic day 13.5, placenta, amnion, and spleen, which are proliferating and/or differentiating. The deduced protein sequence from the cDNA indicates the presence of a signal peptide, suggesting that PC3 is secreted.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; Bucladesine; Cloning, Molecular; DNA; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Gene Expression; Immediate-Early Proteins; Interleukin-6; Membrane Potentials; Molecular Sequence Data; Neoplasm Proteins; Nerve Growth Factors; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Pentylenetetrazole; Pheochromocytoma; Potassium Chloride; Rats; Restriction Mapping; RNA, Messenger; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Tissue Distribution; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

To determine the domains of the low-affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor required for appropriate signal transduction, a series of hybrid receptors were constructed that consisted of the extracellular ligand-binding domain of the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) fused to the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the human low-affinity NGF receptor (NGFR). Transfection of these chimeric receptors into rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells resulted in appropriate cell surface expression. Biological activity mediated by the EGF-NGF chimeric receptor was assayed by the induction of neurite outgrowth in response to EGF in stably transfected cells. Furthermore, the chimeric receptor mediated nuclear signaling, as evidenced by the specific induction of transin messenger RNA, an NGF-responsive gene. Neurite outgrowth was not observed with chimeric receptors that contained the transmembrane domain from the EGFR, suggesting that the membrane-spanning region and cytoplasmic domain of the low-affinity NGFR are necessary for signal transduction.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Axons; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Chimera; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Humans; Nerve Growth Factors; Neurons; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; Transfection

Annexins are a structurally related family of Ca2+ binding proteins of undertermined biological function. Annexin I (also called lipocortin 1) is a substrate for the EGF-stimulated tyrosine kinase and is postulated to be involved in mitogenic signal transduction. To investigate further the involvement of lipocortin 1 in cell proliferation, we measured lipocortin 1 levels in normal diploid human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) to determine whether its expression changed as a function of growth status. For comparison, the expression of annexin V (also called endonexin II) was measured in HFF cells. Endonexin II is a protein with similar Ca2+ and phospholipid binding properties as lipocortin 1, but it is not a substrate for tyrosine kinases. Quiescent HFF cell cultures were induced to proliferate by either subculture to lower cell density, EGF stimulation, or serum stimulation. In all three protocols, proliferating HFF cells contained three- to fourfold higher levels of lipocortin 1 and three- to fourfold lower levels of endonexin II than quiescent HFF cells. In contrast, the expression of annexin II (also called calpactin I) and annexin IV (also called endonexin I) remained relatively unchanged in growing and quiescent HFF cells. Lipocortin 1 synthesis rate was eightfold higher and its turnover rate was 1.5-fold slower in proliferating compared to quiescent HFF cells. Endonexin II synthesis rate remained constant but its turnover rate was 2.2-fold faster in proliferating compared to quiescent HFF cells. In a separate set of experiments, annexin expression levels were measured in cultures of rat PC-12 cells, a pheochromocytoma that ceases proliferation and undergoes reversible differentiation into nondividing neuronlike cells in response to nerve growth factor (NGF). After NGF treatment, PC-12 cells expressed fivefold higher levels of endonexin II and 32-fold higher levels of calpactin 1. Lipocortin 1 and endonexin I were not expressed in PC-12 cells. In summary, lipocortin 1 expression exhibited a positive correlation with cell proliferation in HFF cells. The increased expression of endonexin II in quiescent HFF cells and differentiating PC-12 cells implies that this protein may play a more prominent role in nondividing cells.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Annexins; Blotting, Western; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Cell Division; Cell Line; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Epidermal Growth Factor; Glycoproteins; Humans; Kinetics; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Time Factors; Tumor Cells, Cultured

PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells contain a growth factor-sensitive protein kinase that phosphorylates microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP-2). This MAP kinase is also activated by the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (OA). Additionally, OA potentiates the NGF-dependent activation of MAP kinase, but causes only a modest potentiation (20%) of the maximal activation observed with EGF. Since OA is a specific serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor, these results suggest that serine/threonine phosphorylation may be involved in the hormonal regulation of MAP kinase.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Brain; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; Epidermal Growth Factor; Ethers, Cyclic; Nerve Growth Factors; Okadaic Acid; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinases; Serine; Swine; Threonine; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Purine analogues were used to probe the mechanism by which nerve growth factor (NGF) and other agents regulate cellular ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. Exposure of cultured rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells to NGF causes a 10-50-fold induction of ODC activity within 4-6 h. We recently found that purine analogues block this induction as well as other, but not all, actions of NGF and have provided evidence that the inhibitory actions of the analogues may be due in part to the suppression of an NGF-activated protein kinase activity (Volonté, C., Rukenstein, A., Loeb, D. M., and Greene, L. A. (1989) J. Cell Biol. 109, 2395-2403). The present results show that the purine analogues also suppress the induction of ODC mRNA. One of the analogues used was 6-thioguanine (6-TG). Although 6-TG was effective when applied simultaneously with NGF, if NGF was administered for as little as 1-3 min before 6-TG, ODC induction was unimpaired. This suggests that 6-TG blocks an early step in the NGF mechanism, and that once this step is triggered, the ODC induction pathway is no longer sensitive to this analogue. In contrast, another purine analogue, 2-aminopurine (2-AP), effectively inhibited ODC induction even if applied only during the last hour of a 5-h exposure to NGF. It is hypothesized that this increased period of sensitivity to 2-AP may be due to its broader range (as compared to 6-TG) as an inhibitor of protein kinase activities. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and cAMP derivatives also induce ODC activity in PC12 cells, and these effects were suppressed by 6-TG and 2-AP at concentrations similar to those that affect responses to NGF. However, short term (less than 30 min) pretreatment with EGF or a cAMP derivative did not protect induction of ODC activity by these agents from inhibition by 6-TG. This suggests that there are both convergent and divergent elements in the mechanistic pathways used by NGF, cAMP analogues, and EGF to induce ODC.

Topics: 2-Aminopurine; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cyclic AMP; Enzyme Induction; Epidermal Growth Factor; Kinetics; Nerve Growth Factors; Ornithine Decarboxylase; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; RNA, Messenger; Thioguanine; Thionucleotides; Tumor Cells, Cultured

PC12 cells are a pheochromocytoma cell line that can be made to differentiate into sympatheticlike neurons by nerve growth factor (NGF). An essential component of the NGF-induced differentiation is the development of action potentials and sodium channels. Using whole-cell clamp we have confirmed that NGF produces a 5- to 6-fold increase in sodium channel density. The sodium channels induced by NGF are not different from those in cells not treated with NGF and are similar to those in other cell types. Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), another growth factor that causes PC12 cells to differentiate into sympathetic-like neurons, also produces a 5- to 6-fold increase in sodium current density with channels indistinguishable from those in PC12 cells treated and not treated with NGF. Basic FGF produces the same or somewhat larger increase in sodium channel density but much less neurite outgrowth. In contrast, epidermal growth factor does not produce neurite outgrowth but induces a small, reproducible increase in sodium channel density. Cyclic AMP produces spike-like processes but not neurites and results in a decrease in sodium current and sodium current density. Dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, inhibits the increase in sodium current and sodium current density but does not antagonize the neurite outgrowth induced by NGF. Thus, although the increase in sodium channel expression induced by NGF and basic FGF parallels the changes in morphology that lead to neurite outgrowth, it clearly does not depend on them. The results show that different aspects of neuronal differentiation might be independently regulated by the microenvironment.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Axons; Cell Differentiation; Cyclic AMP; Dexamethasone; Electrophysiology; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Growth Substances; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Sodium Channels; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Treatment of PC12 cells with either nerve growth factor (NGF), a differentiating factor, or epidermal growth factor (EGF), a mitogen, resulted in 7-15-fold activation of a protein kinase activity in cell extracts that phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein (MAP) 2 on serine and threonine residues in vitro. Both the NGF-activated kinase and the EGF-activated kinase could be partially purified by sequential chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, phenyl-Sepharose and hydroxylapatite, and were identical with each other in their chromatographic behavior, apparent molecular mass (approximately 40 kDa) on gel filtration, substrate specificity, and phosphopeptide-mapping pattern of MAP2 phosphorylated by each kinase. Moreover, both kinases were found to be indistinguishable from a mitogen-activated MAP kinase previously described in growth-factor-stimulated or phorbol-ester-stimulated fibroblastic cells, based on the same criteria. Kinase assays in gels after SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed further that the NGF- or EGF-activated MAP kinase in PC12 cells, as well as the EGF-activated MAP kinase in fibroblastic 3Y1 cells resided in two closely spaced polypeptides with an apparent molecular mass of approximately 40 kDa. In addition, these MAP kinases were inactivated by either acid phosphatase treatment or protein phosphatase 2A treatment. These results indicate that MAP kinase may be activated through phosphorylation by a differentiating factor as well as by a mitogen. MAP kinase activation by EGF was protein kinase C independent; it reached an almost maximal level 1 min after EGF treatment and subsided rapidly within 30-60 min. On the other hand, NGF-induced activation of MAP kinase was partly protein kinase C dependent and continued for at least 2-3 h.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cell Line; Chromatography, Gel; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Kinetics; Nerve Growth Factors; Peptide Mapping; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphopeptides; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinases; Rats; Substrate Specificity

The rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC-12) offers a powerful in vitro model to study the mechanism of growth factor-induced differentiation and proliferation. Within minutes of addition, agents such as nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db cAMP) rapidly activate cellular immediate early genes such as c-fos, c-jun, jun-B, and egr-1. fra-1, a member of the immediate early gene family, follows a distinctly later time course of induction than c-fos, c-jun, jun-B, and egr-1, suggesting that fra-1 may attenuate the action of genes induced earlier. We demonstrate that constitutive expression of fra-1 in PC-12 cells results in pronounced inhibition of NGF-induced differentiation. Transcriptional activation of c-fos, c-jun, jun-B, and egr-1 by NGF, EGF, and db cAMP was down-regulated to a varying extent whereas NGF-induced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) was not affected. Expression of jun-D was not affected in PC-12 fra-1 cells. Transfection of fos and egr-1 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) plasmid into these stable fra-1-expressing PC-12 cells revealed that repression of fos and egr-1 was exerted at the promoter level. Thus deregulated fra-1 expression may inhibit PC-12 cell differentiation by altering the patterns of immediate early gene expression.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Bucladesine; Cell Differentiation; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Cells, Cultured; DNA-Binding Proteins; Down-Regulation; Early Growth Response Protein 1; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Immediate-Early Proteins; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; Rats; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors; Transcription, Genetic; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The NGFI-B gene is rapidly activated by a variety of stimuli that induce cells to differentiate or proliferate. It encodes a protein with a predicted molecular mass of congruent to 61 kDa and is a member of the thyroid/steroid hormone receptor gene family. To characterize this protein, monoclonal antibodies were raised against a bacterial TrpE-NGFI-B fusion protein that encompasses a large portion (Glu-410 to Leu-527) of the carboxy-terminal domain of NGFI-B. These antibodies detected a protein that was rapidly synthesized in response to nerve growth factor (NGF) and migrated as a broad band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels with an apparent molecular mass that ranged from 63 to 88 kDa. Pulse-chase analysis demonstrated that NGFI-B was rapidly posttranslationally modified and was a short-lived protein. NGFI-B was found to be a phosphorylated protein, and the multiple NGFI-B species coalesced into a single, more rapidly migrating species when treated with alkaline phosphatase. PC12 cells grown in the absence of NGF contained low levels of NGFI-B that was underphosphorylated. Epidermal growth factor, phorbol ester, and the calcium ionophore A23187 stimulated the synthesis of NGFI-B that was composed largely of underphosphorylated, rapidly migrating species. In contrast, basic fibroblast growth factor, which promotes differentiation of PC12 cells, induced the synthesis of NGFI-B species similar to those synthesized in response to NGF treatment. The underphosphorylated NGFI-B found in uninduced PC12 cells was found only in the nucleus, whereas NGFI-B in NGF-stimulated PC12 cells was present in approximately equal quantities in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Consistent with the cellular distribution observed in nonstimulated PC12 cells, the highly phosphorylated species were predominantly cytoplasmic whereas the more rapidly migrating forms were nuclear.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Calcimycin; Cell Line; DNA-Binding Proteins; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Multigene Family; Nerve Growth Factors; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Rats; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Receptors, Steroid; Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Transcription Factors

Antisera against specific sites of the Alzheimer beta Amyloid protein precursor (beta APP) were used to study the effects of nerve and epidermal growth factors on the expression and processing of this protein in PC12 cell cultures. Two major beta APP proteins (140 and 105 kDa) both containing the Kunitz-protease inhibitor insert (KPI), were detected in cell extracts of naive PC12 cells. Treatment of these cultures with nerve growth factor (NGF) induced the release of two beta APP species 125 and 120 kDa, both of which contained the KPI domain and lacked the carboxy-terminal portion of the precursor. The released beta APP contained O-linked sugars. Only one of the released beta APP proteins bound to the lectin Concanavalin A indicating that they differ in their glycosylation. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) also induced the release of beta APP proteins into the culture medium with similar electrophoretic mobilities as those released by NGF.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; Animals; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Humans; Molecular Weight; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Protein Precursors; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Rats

Insulin and various growth factors (epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor alpha), which fail to modify the resting [Ca2+]i in PC12 rat pheochromocytoma and SKNBE human neuroblastoma cells when administered alone, became capable of inducing [Ca2+]i increases when administered a few (4-20) min after another agent, bradykinin. The latter peptide, working through a B2 receptor, caused hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides and a large, biphasic [Ca2+]i transient (an initial (1-2 min) spike, originated primarily from intracellular stores, followed by a steady-state elevation dependent on Ca2+ influx). Priming by bradykinin of the growth factor effects was quickly dissipated by the addition of a B2 blocker. Activation of other receptors coupled to polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis: muscarinic and purinergic (in PC12 and SKNBE cells); bombesin and vasopressin receptors (in Swiss 3T3 cells), was without effect in priming. Bradykinin-primed, growth factor-induced [Ca2+]i rises in PC12 cells appeared after a 20-30-s delay; they were relatively small, but persistent; their concentration dependence was similar to that of other effects of the factors; and they included both release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and stimulation of Ca2+ influx, preceded (in PC12 cells) by a transient increase of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis. Thus the effect of growth factors (possibly dependent on the tyrosine kinase activity of their receptors) consisted in the reinforcement of the transmembrane signaling at B2 receptors. This is the first direct demonstration of a [Ca2+]i rise induced by insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I, and of such an effect of EGF in cell types endowed with a small number of specific EGF receptors.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Bradykinin; Calcium; Calcium Channels; Cell Division; Egtazic Acid; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Growth Substances; Humans; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; Inositol Phosphates; Insulin; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Kinetics; Neuroblastoma; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphatidylinositol Phosphates; Phosphatidylinositols; Rats; Receptors, Bradykinin; Receptors, Neurotransmitter; Signal Transduction; Transforming Growth Factors; Tumor Cells, Cultured

K-252a, a protein kinase inhibitor isolated from the culture broth of Nocardiopsis sp., inhibits the nerve growth factor (NGF)-stimulated phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and Kemptide (synthetic Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly) by blocking the activation of two independent kinases in PC12 cells: MAP2/pp250 kinase and Kemptide kinase. The NGF-stimulated activation of these kinases is inhibited in a dose-dependent manner following treatment of the cells with K-252a. Although these kinases also are activated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate, K-252a has no inhibitory effect when these agents are used. Half-maximal inhibition of the activation of both kinases was observed at 10-30 nM K-252a. K-252a was shown to directly inhibit the activity of MAP2/pp250 kinase and Kemptide kinase when added to the phosphorylation reaction mixture in vitro; however, half-maximal inhibition under these conditions was observed at greater than or equal to 50 nM K-252a. These data suggest that K-252a exerts its effects at a step early in the cascade of events following NGF binding. The effects of K-252a are similar to those reported for 5'-S-methyladenosine (MTA) and other methyltransferase inhibitors. Treatment of PC12 cells with MTA inhibited NGF-, but not EGF-mediated activation of MAP2/pp250-kinase (Ki greater than 500 microM). MTA, when added to the phosphorylation reaction mixture in vitro, directly inhibited kinase activity (Ki = 50 microM), suggesting that the effects of MTA may be the result of its action on protein kinases rather than methyltransferases.

Topics: Adenosine; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Carbazoles; Cyclic AMP; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Indole Alkaloids; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Nerve Growth Factors; Oligopeptides; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Kinases; Rats; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Tumor Cells, Cultured

PC12 cells attach well to plastic culture dishes coated with laminin, collagen, polylysine or a basement membrane extract (2-dimensional substrata) and, in the presence of NGF, extend short neurites within 1-2 days. However, on gels (3-dimensional substrata) reconstituted from a basement membrane extract (RBM), PC12 cells attach extending short processes transiently and within one day, form networks of small aggregates interconnected by process-bearing cells. By 3 days the network collapses into large aggregates that, in media supplemented with NGF, extended a halo of neurites resembling dorsal root ganglia in culture. Time-lapse video recordings indicate that cell motility on RBM gel is accompanied by extensive blebbing as well as extension of processes that attach to and pull together neighbouring cells. These cellular events may contribute to the disruption of the gel underneath aggregates that is apparent when cultures are stained with Coomasie Blue. Ultrastructural studies indicated that aggregates often have zonula adherens-type junctions where cell bodies and processes come in contact. PC12 cells seeded onto gels of laminin alone behave essentially the same as on RBM gels, whereas on collagen gels they behave as on 2-dimensional substrata and extended neurites rather than aggregate. The extent of aggregation increases with greater cell density and is enhanced significantly by NGF. Antisera to NGF reduce the NGF-enhancement of aggregation but do not block aggregation in the absence of NGF. Dibutyryl cAMP or epidermal growth factor, which stimulate process extension and cell division respectively, do not enhance aggregation. However, 3A3, a monoclonal antibody to a laminin/collagen receptor on PC12 cells and antibodies (Fab fragments) to the neural cell adhesion molecule both inhibit cell aggregation.

Topics: Antibodies; Axons; Cell Aggregation; Cell Count; Cyclic AMP; Epidermal Growth Factor; Extracellular Matrix; Immunohistochemistry; Laminin; Microscopy, Electron; Nerve Growth Factors; Neurons; Pheochromocytoma; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Video Recording

Various proteases have been found to be released by the growth cones of developing neurons in culture and have been hypothesized to play a role in the process of axon elongation. We report here that nerve growth factor (NGF) induced the gene encoding the metalloprotease transin in PC12 cells with a time course coincident with the initial appearance of neurites by these cells. Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors also stimulated transin mRNA expression and neurite outgrowth, whereas various other agents had no effects on either of these phenomena. In contrast, dexamethasone was found to inhibit the induction of transin mRNA when added with, or following, NGF treatment. Finally, we show that sequences contained within 750 bp of the 5' untranscribed region of the transin gene confer responsiveness to NGF and dexamethasone.

Topics: Animals; Axons; Bucladesine; Cell Differentiation; Dexamethasone; Enzyme Induction; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; Metalloendopeptidases; Nerve Growth Factors; Neurons; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Transforming Growth Factors; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the intracellular accumulation of inositol phosphates and on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations were studied in rat PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. Both NGF and EGF potentiate in these cells the increase in the accumulation of inositol phosphates that is elicited by bradykinin and carbachol. A corresponding potentiation was also found for the agonist-induced increase of cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations. The effect of NGF, but not that of EGF, is abolished when the cells are preincubated with 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine, an inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase. These results suggest that an increased response to hormones, which act via phosphoinositide-derived second messengers, may be important in the mechanism of action of NGF and EGF.

Topics: Adenosine; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Bradykinin; Calcium; Cell Line; Deoxyadenosines; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Epidermal Growth Factor; Inositol Phosphates; Male; Mice; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Sugar Phosphates; Thionucleosides

Synthetic peptide substrates specific for cAMP-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C, ribosomal S6 kinase, and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases were used to monitor regulation of these protein kinases in digitonin-permeabilized PC12 cells following treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). cAMP-dependent protein kinase was not activated by NGF and EGF. In addition, neither the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent nor -independent activity of a protein kinase similar to Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II was affected by growth factor treatment. However, protein kinase C was rapidly and transiently activated and ribosomal S6 kinase activity was persistently elevated. Maximal protein kinase C activity was observed after 2 to 5 min of treatment and, subsequently, returned to control levels within 30 to 40 min. In contrast, S6 kinase activity was maximal within 15 min of NGF and EGF addition and was stably maintained for at least 24 hr. In addition to protein kinase C and S6 kinase, NGF and EGF regulated a protein kinase that was maximally elevated after 15 to 30 min and returned to control levels within 3 to 5 hr. This kinase (approximately 100 kDa) failed to bind to a calmodulin affinity column and eluted from a cation exchange column as a single major species that was distinct from S6 kinase activity, which eluted as multiple peaks. The findings indicate that at least three protein kinases are rapidly activated in PC12 cells following treatment with NGF and EGF. The distinct durations of activation of each kinase implicates significantly different roles for each in growth factor signalling in PC12 cells.

Topics: Chromatography, Gel; Epidermal Growth Factor; Nerve Growth Factors; Peptides; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinases; Transcription, Genetic; Tumor Cells, Cultured

We have used a permeabilized cell assay and a synthetic peptide substrate (KRTLRR) to specifically monitor the activity of protein kinase C in PC12 cells preincubated with nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), or phorbol esters. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with 1 microM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate or 1 microM phorbol dibutyrate stimulated the rate of KRTLRR peptide phosphorylation 4.8- and 2.6-fold, respectively. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with NGF or EGF transiently increased the KRTLRR peptide kinase activity. Peak stimulations of KRTLRR peptide kinase (1.3-2-fold) were observed after 1-5 min of growth factor treatment and returned to control levels within 15-20 min. The KRTLRR peptide kinase activity fulfilled two criteria of protein kinase C. A synthetic peptide inhibitor of protein kinase C inhibited both growth factor- and phorbol ester-stimulated KRTLRR peptide kinase activity. In addition, growth factors and phorbol esters failed to stimulate KRTLRR peptide kinase activity in cells rendered protein kinase C-deficient by long-term treatment with 1 microM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. In contrast to the transient activation of protein kinase C, ribosomal S6 kinase, assayed with the synthetic peptide RRLSSLRA, was persistently activated by NGF and EGF. The findings indicate that protein kinase C serves an early and transient role in the molecular actions of NGF and EGF in PC12 cells.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cell Line; Digitonin; Epidermal Growth Factor; Kinetics; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Phorbol Esters; Protein Kinase C; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

When the sympathetic nerve-like cell line PC12 is exposed to nerve growth factor (NGF), there is a rapid and transient phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in cellular proteins, as demonstrated by immunoblotting of cell extracts with high-affinity polyclonal antibodies specific for phosphotyrosine residues. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), which does not cause the morphological differentiation of PC12 cells that is produced by NGF, also induces protein-tyrosine phosphorylation. The methyltransferase inhibitor, 5'-methylthioadenosine, which is known to block the NGF-mediated morphological differentiation of PC12 cells, also inhibits the induction of protein-tyrosine phosphorylation by NGF. 5'-Methylthioadenosine has no effect, however, on EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in cellular proteins. In addition, low temperature markedly slows the rate of protein-tyrosine phosphorylation stimulated by NGF, but it has no effect on the time course of protein-tyrosine phosphorylation induced by EGF. These data suggest that NGF and EGF induce protein-tyrosine phosphorylation in PC12 cells by different mechanisms.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Bucladesine; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Immunosorbent Techniques; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Phosphotyrosine; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Rats; Tyrosine

We describe features of the regulation of a neural-specific gene, SCG10, which is induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) during the neuronal differentiation of the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12. Induction of SCG10 mRNA occurs within 12-24 hr of exposure to NGF, is sustained in the continued presence of the neurotrophic factor, and involves a mechanism that is, at least in part, transcriptional. Unlike the rapid, transient transcriptional activations of genes such as c-fos, SCG10 induction requires ongoing protein synthesis, suggesting the participation of a de novo synthesized regulatory protein in mediating the effects of NGF on this gene. Although c-fos itself may play this role, its induction is clearly insufficient to cause an induction of SCG10. NGF, FGF, and, to a lesser extent, phorbol esters induced SCG10, whereas EGF and dibutyryl cAMP did not. In these characteristics, SCG10 induction appears to constitute a reliable molecular index of the transcription-dependent neuronal differentiation induced by NGF. Glucocorticoids, which inhibit NGF-induced neurite outgrowth from normal primary chromaffin cells, partially blocked SCG10 induction in PC12 cells. A reciprocal pattern of regulation by NGF and glucocorticoids was observed for tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA. These data suggest that environmental signals such as NGF may act on specific genes, both positively and negatively, to control the choice of alternative fates by developing neural crest cells.

Topics: Animals; Bucladesine; Cell Nucleus; Chromaffin System; Cycloheximide; Dexamethasone; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gene Expression Regulation; Nerve Growth Factors; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Pheochromocytoma; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Rats; RNA, Messenger; Sympathetic Nervous System; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Time Factors; Transcription, Genetic; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Treatment of PC12 cells with either nerve growth factor, a differentiating agent, or epidermal growth factor, a mitogen, leads to an increase in the phosphorylation of the ribosomal protein S6. The soluble fraction of PC12 cells contains two S6 kinases, separable on heparin-Sepharose. Treatment of the cells with nerve growth factor results in an increase in the activity of one of these kinases; treatment of the cells with epidermal growth factor results in an increase in the activity of the other one. The data suggest that the patterns of phosphorylation and, in turn, the functional properties of S6 are different in cells instructed to differentiate from those in cells instructed to divide.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Chromatography, Affinity; Egtazic Acid; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Glycerophosphates; Kinetics; Mitogens; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinases; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases

Nerve growth factor (NGF) induces the redistribution of F-actin in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells within 2-10 min, whereas epidermal growth factor (EGF) has no effect on microfilament organization. This redistribution of F-actin in PC12 cells is not protein synthesis dependent, but can be blocked by methyltransferase inhibitors.

Topics: Actins; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cycloheximide; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fluorescent Dyes; Kinetics; Methyltransferases; Nerve Growth Factors; Phalloidine; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Rhodamines; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Growth Substances; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Protein Kinases; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase III (Ca2+/CaM kinase III) phosphorylates a protein of Mr = 100,000 (the 100-kDa protein), a major substrate for Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein phosphorylation found in many mammalian tissues and cell lines (Nairn, A.C., Baghat, B., and Palfrey, H.C. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 7939-7943). Treatment of PC12 cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) or forskolin resulted in a decrease in the depolarization-dependent phosphorylation of the 100-kDa protein in intact cells and in a decrease in the Ca2+/CaM-dependent phosphorylation of the 100-kDa protein in cytosolic extracts. In experiments using cytosolic extracts, the initial effect of NGF on the phosphorylation of the 100-kDa protein was observed in less than 1 h, was maximal (70% decrease) after 12 h, and began to recover after 24 h. The effect of forskolin was more rapid and the maximal effect was greater (90-95% decrease). Decreased Ca2+/CaM kinase III activity was also found in PC12 cells treated with epidermal growth factor, 2-chloroadenosine plus isobutylmethylxanthine, or dibutyryl cAMP. The effect of forskolin did not reverse unless it was removed. Cycloheximide blocked the recovery of Ca2+/CaM kinase III activity observed following the removal of forskolin but did not affect the ability of forskolin to reduce kinase activity. Short-term treatment with phorbol ester had little effect on Ca2+/CaM kinase III activity; long-term treatment with phorbol ester, which results in the disappearance of enzymatically detectable protein kinase C, had no effect on the ability of NGF or 2-chloroadenosine to reduce Ca2+/CaM kinase III activity. The level of the 100-kDa protein as determined by immunological techniques was not changed by any treatment. These results suggested that the effect of treatment of PC12 cells with NGF or forskolin was to reduce the level of Ca2+/CaM kinase III per se.

Topics: 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; 2-Chloroadenosine; Adenosine; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cell Line; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Cytosol; Elongation Factor 2 Kinase; Epidermal Growth Factor; Kinetics; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinases

The addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to cultures of the rat PCG2 pheochromocytoma cell line increased the level of RNA coding for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). A region of DNA containing 5'-flanking sequences of the TH gene was fused to a heterologous gene and transfected into a rat anterior pituitary cell line, GH4. The TH gene sequences from +27 to -272 contained information sufficient for the induction of TH by EGF. Two regions within this TH DNA were extensively homologous to the EGF regulatory element of the rat prolactin gene.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gene Expression Regulation; Pheochromocytoma; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Rats; Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; RNA, Messenger; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Rat pheochromocytoma cells (clone PC12) possess functional surface receptors for both nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). PC12 cells respond to NGF as well as to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) by arrest of cell proliferation and initiation of morphological differentiation, while EGF acts as a mitogen. Exposure of PC12 cells to NGF for several days resulted in a complete loss of rapid EGF responses, such as membrane ruffling and activation of active K+ transport. EGF binding studies revealed that this loss of EGF responses was due to an almost complete reduction of the number of EGF binding sites. In contrast, exposure of PC12 cells to dbcAMP for 2 days did not affect the rapid EGF responses, despite the morphological differentiation. Moreover, EGF binding studies demonstrated a twofold increase in the number of high-affinity binding sites and a small increase in the number of low-affinity sites. In addition, exposure of the cells to dbcAMP caused a twofold increase of EGF-receptor phosphotyrosine kinase activity. These results indicate that neither EGF-binding or the presence of EGF receptors nor the rapid EGF responses are sufficient for persistent proliferation, on one hand, or sufficient to avoid morphological differentiation, on the other.

Topics: Animals; Bucladesine; Cell Differentiation; Cell Division; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Gene Expression Regulation; Neoplasm Proteins; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Potassium; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Rats

Rat PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells, in response to nerve growth factor (NGF), stop proliferating and differentiate into cells resembling sympathetic neurons. This model of cell differentiation was used to investigate the expression of a previously isolated collection of mitogen-induced primary response sequences cloned from murine 3T3 cells; the TIS (tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate-induced sequences) genes (Lim et al., 1987). The TIS cDNAs were used to probe RNA isolated from PC-12 cells stimulated with NGF and other agents. Six of these messages were rapidly and transiently induced by NGF, tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), or epidermal growth factor (EGF). Expression of these TIS genes generally resembled the NGF-stimulated induction of c-fos. In contrast, one TIS gene (TIS 10), induced by mitogens in 3T3 cells, was not induced by NGF, TPA, or EGF in PC-12 cells. Like c-fos, these TIS genes induced by NGF could also be superinduced by the combined administration of NGF and benzodiazepine. Elevated potassium ion, which leads to the induction of c-fos in PC-12 cells via activation of a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel, also induces all TIS genes, with the notable exception of TIS 10. The induction of this family of genes may be involved in the general transduction of extracellular signals into biological responses.

Topics: Animals; Benzodiazepines; Cell Differentiation; Cell Division; Cell Line; Cycloheximide; Dexamethasone; Diazepam; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gene Expression Regulation; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Potassium; Rats; RNA, Messenger; Temazepam; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

A rise of cytosolic Ca2+ is induced by NGF in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 and bovine chromaffin cells investigated (both in suspension and while attached to polyornithine-coated glass slides) by fluorescence techniques (with quin-2 and fura-2). The effect of NGF on [Ca2+]i is delayed (30-40 s of lag phase), slow (t1/2 = 40 s), relatively small (+50-75%) and persistent (over 10 min). It is due to Ca2+ influx (requires extracellular Ca2+ greater than 10 microM) through a pathway different from the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel, possibly accompanied by intracellular Ca2+ redistribution, and might play a messenger role in NGF action.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Aminoquinolines; Animals; Benzofurans; Calcium; Cattle; Chromaffin System; Cytosol; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fluorescent Dyes; Fura-2; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Rats

Glycogen phosphorylase in PC12 cells exists in two forms analogous to those found in brain and muscle. The active phosphorylated form of the enzyme, phosphorylase-a, represents about 20-30% of total glycogen phosphorylase in these cells. Incubation of PC12 cells with 100 ng 7S nerve growth factor/ml increased phosphorylase-a within minutes. In contrast to nerve growth factor, insulin (6 ng/ml) and epidermal growth factor (6 ng/ml) decreased phosphorylase-a. Activation of phosphorylase-a by nerve growth factor was not accompanied by increases in cyclic AMP; however, removal of extracellular Ca2+ or incubation of cells with calcium channel blockers inhibited activation of glycogen phosphorylase by nerve growth factor.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Calcium; Cell Line; Enzyme Activation; Epidermal Growth Factor; Insulin; Kinetics; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylase a; Phosphorylases; Rats

We have reexamined the possible role of the Na+/H+ antiport in the cellular response by PC12 pheochromocytoma cells to nerve growth factor (NGF). In contrast to previous reports, we observe no activation of Na+/H+ exchange in these cells, using a very sensitive assay based on the measurement of cytoplasmic pH with dimethylfluorescein dextran (Rothenberg et al., J. Biol. Chem., 258:4883-4809, 1983). Our measurements indicate that the PC12 pheochromocytoma cells, under all conditions tested, show a high rate of Na+/H+ exchange. The discrepancy between these observations and previous experiments could be due to differences in cells in different laboratories, but also to changes in cell adhesion induced by NGF. We describe conditions where intracellular pH and rates of Na+ uptake can be measured reliably in PC12 cells with adequate controls for cell adhesion. We conclude that activation of Na+/H+ exchange is neither sufficient nor required for the differentiation of PC12 cells induced by NGF.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Biological Transport, Active; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Intracellular Fluid; Ion Channels; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Protons; Rats; Sodium

In cultured PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells, nerve growth factor (NGF) selectively stimulated the incorporation of [3H]fucose into a glycoprotein of apparent Mr approximately 25,000, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. Neither dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate nor epidermal growth factor mimicked this effect. Using gradient gels, the affected protein was resolved into two closely migrating bands. Enhancement of labeling was present by 1 to 2 days of treatment with NGF and was maximal after 4 to 7 days. Short-term extraction of PC12 cell monolayer cultures with Triton X-100 left the 25,000-dalton glycoprotein associated with the detergent-resistant cytoskeletal fraction. The Mr approximately 25,000 glycoprotein was shown to be immunologically cross-reactive with Thy-1.1 antigen by indirect immunoprecipitation with monoclonal Thy-1.1 antibodies. Anti-Thy-1.1 labeling, as demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence, was distributed on PC12 cell bodies and along neuritic processes and remained attached to the cytoskeleton as part of the surface lamina of cells treated and untreated with NGF. The selective increase of the Mr approximately equal to 25,000 glycoprotein in NGF-treated cultures was also paralleled by increases in material immunoprecipitated from fucose-labeled cells with anti Thy-1.1 monoclonal antibodies. Immunoprecipitations with extracts of [35S]methionine-labeled cultures indicated that NGF causes an increase in synthesis, rather than merely glycosylation, of the 25,000-dalton/Thy-1-cross-reactive protein. The effect of NGF on this protein was blocked by inhibitors of RNA synthesis, suggesting involvement of a transcription-dependent mechanism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Antigens, Surface; Autoradiography; Bucladesine; Cell Membrane; Cross Reactions; Cytoskeleton; Electrophoresis; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Glycoproteins; Molecular Weight; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Thy-1 Antigens; Tissue Distribution

An epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-interactive monoclonal antibody (151-IgG) that inhibits EGF binding to PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells and to various other cell types has been produced. The hybridoma clone was obtained by fusing Sp2/O-Ag14 myeloma cells with splenocytes from Balb/C mice which had been immunized with n-octyl glucoside-solubilized protein from isolated PC12 cell plasma membranes. The antibody is an IgG which binds to protein A. 151-IgG did not bind EGF. At 0.5 degrees C 151-IgG was directly competitive for EGF binding to PC12 cells. It also inhibited EGF binding to bovine corneal endothelial cells, rabbit corneal fibroblasts, human foreskin fibroblasts, and normal rat kidney cells, and it slightly enchanced EGF binding to SW 3T3 cells. PC12 cells have the same number of binding sites for 151-IgG as for EGF (approximately 27,000 sites/cell). 151-IgG inhibited the photoactivatable cross-linking of EGF to a protein of Mr 170,000 in PC12 cells. 151-IgG inhibited the EGF-stimulated incorporation of [3H]thymidine into quiescent bovine corneal endothelial cells, rabbit corneal endothelial cells, epithelial normal rat kidney cells, and SW 3T3 cells while it enhanced the EGF-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into quiescent human foreskin fibroblasts. 151-IgG by itself possessed intrinsic EGF-like activity for human fibroblasts but not for the other cells tested. This suggests that there is a difference in EGF receptors and/or processing in these normal cell types.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Cattle; Cell Line; Cornea; Endothelium; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Female; Fibroblasts; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Mice; Molecular Weight; Pheochromocytoma; Photochemistry; Rabbits; Rats; Receptors, Cell Surface; Thymidine

Nerve growth factor (NGF) causes the differentiation of PC12 cells to sympathetic neuron-like cells and also induces a rapid but transient expression of fos mRNA and protein. fos mRNA transcripts can be detected 5 min after the addition of NGF, are maximally abundant after 30 min, and then their levels decrease. fos protein synthesis parallels the expression of fos mRNA, and the induced fos proteins are located in the nucleus. cAMP, epidermal growth factor, the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and K+ depolarization also induce the fos gene. Growth of PC12 cells in the presence of dexamethasone, which induces differentiation into chromaffin-like cells, is not accompanied by fos expression. We propose that while fos gene induction is associated with the differentiation of PC12 cells to sympathetic nerve, its enhanced expression is primarily involved in the anabolic responses induced by NGF and many growth factors.

Topics: Animals; Bucladesine; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Dexamethasone; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gene Expression Regulation; Neoplasm Proteins; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Potassium; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; Proto-Oncogenes; Rats; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Neoplasm; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Transcriptional Activation

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) produce stable alterations in PC12 cells that persist in the detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton, resulting in the phosphorylation of a 250,000-mol-wt cytoskeletally associated protein in situ. Treatment of PC12 cells with NGF or EGF, followed by detergent lysis of the cells and incubation of the resulting cytoskeletons with gamma-32P-ATP, permitted detection of hormonally stimulated, energy-dependent events, which result in the enhanced phosphorylation of a cytoskeletally associated protein as an immediate consequence of receptor occupancy. These events were elicited only upon treatment of intact cells at physiological temperatures. The NGF- and EGF-stimulated events occurred rapidly; however, they were a transient effect of hormone action. NGF and EGF were found to act through independent mechanisms to stimulate the in situ phosphorylation of the 250,000-mol-wt protein, as the effects of NGF, but not EGF, were blocked by methyltransferase inhibitors. The 250,000-mol-wt protein was phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues in response to both NGF and EGF although in somewhat different proportions. The data suggest that the hormone-stimulated labeling of the 250,000-mol-wt protein may be the result of either the direct activation of a protein kinase, the redistribution of the kinase relative to its substrates as a consequence of hormone action, or the coincident occurrence of these events.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Clone Cells; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Epidermal Growth Factor; Molecular Weight; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinases; Rats

A completely defined medium has been designed to promote cell proliferation of 2 colonic adenocarcinoma cell lines of epithelial origin (HT 29 and HRT 18). The spreading of both cell types, especially of HT 29 cells, was not possible in a serum-free medium supplemented with growth factors. Spreading was obtained in a defined medium (a 1/1 mixture of DMEM and F12 media supplemented with 5 micrograms/ml transferrin, 5 ng/ml EGF, 10 ng/ml selenite and 15 mM HEPES pH 7.3) with an extracellular matrix-like material (ECM) secreted by the cells themselves. The properties of the ECM have been studied: ECM secreted by the 2 cell lines induced very quick spreading of HT 29 and HRT 18 cells (1 to 2 hr vs. 12 to 24 hr in serum-supplemented medium). ECM induced morphological differentiation of a rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC 12). PC-12 cells grown under these conditions began to develop neurite extensions as early as 2 hr after seeding.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Colonic Neoplasms; Culture Media; Epidermal Growth Factor; Extracellular Matrix; Humans; Pheochromocytoma; Rats

Nerve growth factor (NGF) promotes neuronal differentiation of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. We show here that within 5 min after its addition, NGF transiently stimulates c-fos proto-oncogene and actin transcription by greater than 100-fold in nonsynchronized PC12 cells. c-myc and ornithine decarboxylase transcription are also transiently activated, but more slowly. The corresponding mRNAs are induced as well. Two weeks' exposure to NGF causes no significant changes in the transcription of these and a variety of other genes analyzed; however, c-fos mRNA levels are increased severalfold under these conditions. Neuronally differentiated PC12 cells retain the capacity for rapid transcriptional responses. Removal of NGF from such cells for several hours followed by its readdition results in rapid induction of c-fos and actin transcription. These NGF-promoted transcriptional changes in PC12 cells are similar to those previously observed in quiescent fibroblasts stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (Greenberg, M.E., and Ziff, E.B. (1984) Nature 311, 433-438). This rapid transcriptional activation in PC12 cells could be necessary for neuronal differentiation, but is apparently not sufficient since diverse agents without differentiating activity such as epidermal growth factor, insulin, dibutyryl cAMP, phorbol ester, and elevated K+ were also found to induce transcription. These results suggest that c-fos, c-myc, and actin induction may be general nuclear responses to growth or differentiation factors in a variety of different cell types.

Topics: Actins; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Kinetics; Nerve Growth Factors; Ornithine Decarboxylase; Pheochromocytoma; Proto-Oncogenes; Rats; RNA, Messenger; Transcription, Genetic

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.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Bucladesine; Cell Line; Coated Pits, Cell-Membrane; Endosomes; Epidermal Growth Factor; Kinetics; Microscopy, Electron; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Rats

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.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cell Membrane; Epidermal Growth Factor; Kinetics; Methylation; Mice; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Nerve Growth Factors; Ornithine Decarboxylase; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor

Carbamylcholine (CCh)-induced 22Na+ influx into clonal rat pheochromocytoma PC12h cells increased remarkably by culturing the cells in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) at a concentration of 50 ng/ml. After 2-4 days in culture with NGF, the CCh-induced 22Na+ influx into cells was enhanced 3- to 5-fold compared to the influx into NGF-untreated cells. No increase of CCh-induced 22Na+ influx was seen prior to 15 h. The ED50 value for NGF to increase the responsiveness was 4.6 ng/ml. This effect could not be mimicked by the addition of 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Besides NGF, epidermal growth factor increased the CCh-induced 22Na+ influx into cells to a lower extent that NGF did. Insulin and dexamethasone had no effect. By contrast, the amount of [125I] alpha-bungarotoxin binding to PC12h cells was not changed when cultured in the presence of NGF. It is concluded that the functional nAChR and alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites of PC12h cells are controlled by different mechanisms.

Topics: Animals; Bucladesine; Bungarotoxins; Carbachol; Clone Cells; Dexamethasone; Epidermal Growth Factor; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Receptors, Nicotinic; Sodium

Topics: Animals; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Clone Cells; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Humans; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Receptors, Cell Surface

Topics: Animals; Astrocytes; Brain; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Enzyme Induction; Epidermal Growth Factor; Ganglia, Sympathetic; Mice; Mitosis; Nerve Growth Factors; Nerve Regeneration; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurons; Oligodendroglia; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Synaptic Transmission; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

The rat PC12 pheochromocytoma cell line exhibits biological responses to both nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). The existence of receptors and biological responses on a common cell for these two well-characterized polypeptide growth factors makes this an attractive system for comparison of ligand binding and processing. Both NGF and EGF are bound to PC12 cells in a competable form at 4 degrees C. At 37 degrees C both ligands are "sequestered," but at different rates and to different extents. While sequestration happens rapidly and nearly quantitatively for bound EGF, the dissociation reaction appears to compete favorably with NGF sequestration. Both EGF and NGF are degraded by PC12 cells. Sequestered EGF, however, is degraded to a greater extent than sequestered NGF.

Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Endocytosis; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Kinetics; Mice; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Protein Binding; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; Temperature

Incubation of cell-free extracts from PC12 cells with [32P]ATP leads to the phosphorylation of a 100,000-dalton protein. In extracts from cells treated with nerve growth factor, the labeling of the 100,000-dalton protein is substantially and selectively reduced. Direct quantitation indicates that the reduction is a minimum of 30-50% in the various experiments. The decrease is evident after as little as 15 min of nerve growth factor treatment, and disappears within 2 h after the removal of nerve growth factor. The decrease is dose dependent; a complete response is seen after treatment with 10 ng of nerve growth factor/ml. Some decrease in phosphorylation is also seen after treatment of the cells with epidermal growth factor, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, or 5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine, a potent adenosine receptor agonist, but not after treatment with insulin. The phosphorylation of the 100,000-dalton protein, in extracts from either control or nerve growth factor-treated cells, leads almost exclusively to the formation of phosphothreonine. The addition of equal amounts of extract from untreated cells and extract from nerve growth factor-treated cells produces a level of phosphorylation exactly intermediate between those of the two extracts used separately, indicating the absence of a soluble kinase inhibitor. The data suggest that nerve growth factor treatment produces either a covalent inhibition or a physical removal of the kinase for the 100,000-dalton protein.

Topics: Adenosine; Adenosine Triphosphate; Adenosine-5'-(N-ethylcarboxamide); Animals; Cell Line; Cell-Free System; Cyclic AMP; Epidermal Growth Factor; Ganglia, Sympathetic; Nerve Growth Factors; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Rats; S100 Proteins

Rat pheochromocytoma cells (clone PC12) respond to nerve growth factor (NGF) by the acquirement of a phenotype resembling neuronal cells. In an earlier study we showed that NGF causes an increase in Na+,K+ pump activity, as monitored by ouabain-sensitive Rb+ influx. Here we show that addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to PC12 cells resulted in a stimulation of Na+,K+ pump activity as well. The increase of Na+,K+ pump activity by NGF or EGF was due to increased Na+ influx. This increased Na+ influx was sensitive to amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+,H+ exchange. Furthermore, no changes in membrane potential were observed upon addition of NGF or EGF. Amiloride-sensitive Na+,H+ exchange in PC12 cells was demonstrated by H+ efflux measurements and the effects of weak acids on Na+ influx. These observations suggest that both NGF and EGF activate an amiloride-sensitive, electroneutral Na+,H+ exchange mechanism in PC12 cells. These findings were surprising in view of the opposite ultimate biological effects of NGF and EGF, e.g., growth arrest vs. growth stimulation. However, within 24 h after addition, NGF was found to stimulate growth of PC12 cells, comparable to EGF. In the presence of amiloride, this stimulated growth by NGF and EGF was abolished. In contrast, amiloride did not affect NGF-induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells. From these observations it is concluded that in PC12 cells: (a) NGF has an initial growth stimulating effect; (b) neurite outgrowth is independent of increased amiloride-sensitive Na+ influx; and (c) growth stimulation by NGF and EGF is associated with increased amiloride-sensitive Na+ influx.

Topics: Amiloride; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell Division; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Ion Channels; Nerve Growth Factors; Neurons; Pheochromocytoma; Potassium; Rats; Sodium

Nerve growth factor treatment produces a large increase in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase and a moderate decrease in the activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase in PC12 cells. These changes are reflected weakly, if at all, in the levels of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine in the cells. The rates of polyamine synthesis are increased somewhat more than the overall levels, but still are not comparable in extent to the increase in the ornithine decarboxylase activity. Inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase have their expected effects on the induction of ornithine decarboxylase and on the activities of both enzymes. Neither inhibitor alone, nor a combination of inhibitors, altered the rate or extent of nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth in the cells.

Topics: Adenosine; Adenosine-5'-(N-ethylcarboxamide); Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Carboxy-Lyases; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Kinetics; Neoplasms, Experimental; Nerve Growth Factors; Ornithine Decarboxylase; Pheochromocytoma; Polyamines; Rats; Vasodilator Agents

The rat pheochromocytoma cell line, PC12, which has receptors for both nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), was used to develop a technique for the simultaneous visualization of separate growth factor receptors by indirect immunohistofluorescence. The cells were incubated with saturating concentrations of nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor. After fixation, the cells were treated with anti-NGF sheep antiserum and then with antisheep rabbit IgG conjugated with fluorescein; they also were treated with anti-EGF rabbit antiserum and then with anti-rabbit sheep IgG conjugated with rhodamine. Fluorescence microscopy showed that a single PC12 cell bound both NGF and EGF. The fluorescence due to EGF binding was reduced when the cells were grown in the presence of NGF. A similar reduction of fluorescence was observed after addition of the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Both manipulations are known to reduce the specific binding of 125I-EGF to these cells. Subclones of PC12 cells, NR11 and NR20, reported not to have NGF receptors, did not demonstrate NGF binding when tested with this indirect immunohistofluorescence method. Thus, the binding of growth factors which is demonstrable by indirect immunohistofluorescence method seems to reflect the presence of the specific cell surface receptors for both peptides on individual PC12 cells.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cell Line; Clone Cells; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

The phorbol ester tumor promotor 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) specifically inhibited the binding of radioiodinated epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF) to rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells in a noncompetitive fashion with an apparent Ki of 11-26 nM. Both TPA and EGF elicited similar biological responses in PC12 cells including enhanced incorporation of 3H-choline and 32 P-orthophosphate into macromolecules, induction of ornithine decarboxylase, and stimulation of the phosphorylation of a 30,000 MW nonhistone, chromosome-associated protein. These effects were also elicited by nerve growth fact (NGF) which, in contrast to the former agents, is a differentiating stimulus for PC12 cells. The effects of TPA were additive or more than additive to the effects of NGF and EGF. When PC12 cells were induced to differentiate by treatment with NGF for 72 hours, the binding of 125I-EGF and responses to EGF were reduced by approximately 70%. The response of PC12 cells to the tumor promoter TPA was unaffected by treatment with NGF. Thus, the qualitatively similar effects of TPA and EGF seemed to be mediated through separate receptor systems with only the EGF receptor system reduced by NGF treatment.

Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Choline; Drug Interactions; Enzyme Induction; Epidermal Growth Factor; Nerve Growth Factors; Neurons; Ornithine Decarboxylase; Pheochromocytoma; Phorbols; Phosphates; Phosphorylation; Proteins; Rats; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

We have previously described the isolation of a clonal pheochromocytoma cell line (PC-G2) which responds to nerve growth factor (NGF) [Goodman and Herschman, 1978] and epidermal growth factor (EGF) [Goodman et al, 1980] with increased specific activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). This cell line thus can be used for studies of induction of a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines using a homogeneous cell population under controlled environmental influences. However, the need for serum in the culture medium used to grow these cells still introduced a lack of total environmental control. Several laboratories have circumvented this problem by growing cells in chemically defined medium. In the present report we demonstrate that with a modification PC-G2 cells can survive and grow in the chemically defined N3 medium devised by Bottenstein and Sato [1979]. While another pheochromocytoma cell line, PC-12, was shown to grow in N3 medium without any supplement [Bottenstein et al, 1979], the PC-G2 cells exhibit an absolute requirement for NGF or EGF in order to grow in this chemically defined medium. As was the case in the induction of TH in serum-containing medium [Goodman and Herschman, 1978; Goodman et al. 1980], EGF was found to be 100 times more potent than NGF in the support of growth of the PC-G2 cells. In the present report we demonstrate not only that either of these growth factors will support the growth of the PC-G2 cells, but also that the relative potency of these two factors for support of the cell growth is similar to their relative potencies in the induction of tyrosine hydroxylase in serum-containing medium.

Topics: Animals; Clone Cells; Epidermal Growth Factor; Neoplasms, Experimental; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Rats

PC12 cells, which differentiate morphologically and biochemically into sympathetic neruonlike cells in response to nerve growth fact, also respond to epidermal growth factor. The response to epidermal growth factor is similar in certain respects to the response to nerve growth fact. Both peptides produce rapid increases in cellular adhesion and 2-deoxyglucose uptake and both induce ornithine decarboxylase. But nerve growth factor causes a decreased cell proliferation and a marked hypertrophy of the cells. In contrast, epidermal growth factor enhances cell proliferation and does not cause hypertrophy. Nerve growth factor induces the formation of neuritis; epidermal growth factor does not. When both factors are presented simultaneously, the cells form neurites. Furthermore, the biological response to epidermal growth fact, as exemplified by the induction of ornithine decarboxylase, is attenuated by prior treatment of the cells with nerve growth factor. PC12 cells have epidermal growth factor receptors. The binding of epidermal growth factor to these receptors is rapid and specific, and exhibits an equilibrium constant of 1.9 x 10(-9) M. Approximately 80,000 receptors are present per cell, and this number is independent of cell density. Treatment of the cells with nerve growth factor reduces the amount of epidermal growth factor binding by at least 80 percent. The decrease in receptor binding begins after approximately 12-18 h of nerve growth factor treatment and is complete within 3 d. Scratchard plots indicate that the number of binding sites decreases, not the affinity of the binding sites for epidermal growth factor.

Topics: Animals; Cell Adhesion; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Nerve Growth Factors; Neurons; Peptides; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Receptors, Cell Surface

Both nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor cause an induction of ornithine decarboxylase in the rat pheochromocytoma clone PC12. The induction by nerve growth factor is transcription-dependent and occurs within 4 to 6 h. Antibody studies indicate that nerve growth factor must be present for 2-3 h to obtain full induction. Nerve growth factor is synergistic with either N6, O2-dibutyryl cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (dBcAMP) or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) in the induction. The magnitude of ornithine decarboxylase induction is influenced by the density of the culture. Synchronized cell populations show the greatest sensitivity to nerve growth factor just before, or immediately upon, entering S phase. The induction of ornithine decarboxylase by epidermal growth factor appears to be quite similar to that exhibited by nerve growth factor. Epidermal growth factor is active in the range of ng/ml. The time course of the induction is the same, as is the need for the peptide to remain in contact with the cells for several hours. Putrescine inhibits the induction and dBcAMP and IMBX accentuate it. Cells appear to be sensitive to epidermal growth factor also near the G1/S border. In spite of the marked similarities in these inductions, a maximal level of nerve growth factor plus a maximal level of epidermal growth factor yields greater induction than either alone, indicating the inductions occur by somewhat different mechanisms.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Antigen-Antibody Complex; Carboxy-Lyases; Cell Line; Clone Cells; Dactinomycin; Enzyme Induction; Epidermal Growth Factor; Immune Sera; Kinetics; Nerve Growth Factors; Ornithine Decarboxylase; Peptides; Pheochromocytoma; Rats

We have previously described the isolation of a clonal cell line (PC-G2) in which the level of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of the catecholamine neurotransmitters, is induced by nerve growth factor (NGF). We now report that epidermal growth factor (EGF) also induces TH in the PC-G2 cell line. Although EGF has been shown to be mitogenic for many cultured cells, no neuronal function has been previously reported for this protein. The TH response to EGF is elicited in a dose-dependent fashion at concentrations as low as 0.1 ng/ml and is maximal at 10 ng/ml EGF. The maximal response is observed after 3--4 d of exposure to 10 ng/ml EGF. The induction by NGF and EGF is inhibited by their respective antisera. Dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid which we have previously shown modulates the response of PC-G2 cells to NGF, also modulates the TH induction elicited by EGF.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Clone Cells; Cyanogen Bromide; Dexamethasone; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme Induction; Epidermal Growth Factor; Immune Sera; Kinetics; Nerve Growth Factors; Peptides; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Treatment of rat superior cervical ganglia in culture with nerve growth factor (NGF) increases the amount of radioactive phosphate incorporated into a nuclear protein band. This band migrates coincidentally with H1 histone on 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels. The increase in phosphate incorporation is at least 70% and occurs only in tissues known to be responsive to NGF. It is not produced by treatment with related peptides, but is observed after the addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP. An increase in phosphorylation can be detected after 1 h, and can be seen with as little as 10 ng/ml of NGF in the medium. Neither actinomycin D nor cycloheximide inhibits the effect. When the nuclei are extracted with 0.2 M H2SO4 and the extract analyzed on acid-urea/polyacrylamide gels, two NGF-responsive proteins can be detected. One protein again migrates with the H1 histone marker; the other migrates more slowly than H1. These two NGF-responsive proteins have molecular weights of approximately 30,000 and are chromatin-bound. They are not soluble in 5% perchloric acid, but can be extracted from the nuclei with 0.35 M NaCl. No increase in the phosphorylation of these proteins was seen in ganglia from 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats. The phosphorylation of the proteins in both control and NGF-treated ganglia occurs almost exclusively on serine residues. The amino acid compositions of the two nuclear proteins show that they are different from the H1 histone and different from each other. Both nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) increase the incorporation of radioactive phosphate into a specific nuclear protein in cultures of PC12, a clone of rat pheochromocytoma. Purified NGF antibody blocks the effect of NGF, but not that of EGF; EGF antiserum neutralizes the effect of EGF, but not that of NGF. Insulin, glucagon, and dexamethasone are without effect. The increase in phosphorylation due to NGF can be detected within 1 h. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP increases the phosphorylation of this protein, but dibutyryl cyclic GMP does not. Neither the uptake nor the overall incorporation of [32P]orthophosphate is altered by NGF, EGF, or dibutyryl cAMP under the present experimental conditions. The nuclear protein exhibiting increased radioactivity is similar in solubility, size, and amino acid composition to one of the NGF-responsive nuclear proteins from sympathetic ganglia.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Amino Acids; Animals; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured; Chromatin; Epidermal Growth Factor; Ganglia, Spinal; Histones; Insulin; Nerve Growth Factors; Nucleoproteins; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Rats; RNA

Nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin, cholera toxin (CT) and cAMP all stimulate the phosphorylation of proteins in the PC12 nerve-like cell line. NGF, CT and cAMP enhance phosphorylation of the same set of proteins including tyrosine hydroxylase, ribosomal protein S6, histones H1 and H3, and the nonhistone chromosomal and cytoplasmic high mobility group (HMG) 17 protein, and reduce phosphorylation of H2A. EGF but not insulin enhances the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase. Insulin but not EGF enhances the phosphorylation of histone H3 and decreases the phosphorylation of H2A. EGFD and insulin each enhance phosphorylations of both ribosomal protein S6 and histone H1, but neither hormone induces phosphorylation of HMG 17. The extent of these effects depends upon the ligand concentration and is half-maximal at physiological concentrations of the hormones (beta-NGF, 2 ng/ml; EGF, 1 ng/ml. insulin, 0.5 microunits/ml). Maximal effects of NGF are seen within 15 min and persist even after 3 days of culture in the presence of NGF. When phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 is maximally stimulated by NGF, no further stimulation can be achieved by adding saturating quantities of either cAMP or CT. However, simultaneous addition of saturating quantities of NGF and either EGF or insulin results in an enhancement of phosphorylation that is equal to the sum of that achieved when the two ligands are added separately. These results suggest that the enhanced phosphorylation of S6 achieved by NGF or cAMP occurs through a common mechanism which differs from those which mediate EGF or insulin-enhanced phosphorylation. The data also provide strong evidence that the action of NGF included protein phosphorylation mediated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The phosphorylation of each of these proteins in response to NGF may play an important role in NGF action.

Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Cyclic AMP; Epidermal Growth Factor; Insulin; Nerve Growth Factors; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphoproteins; Protein Kinases; Rats

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has previously been shown to increase the rate of adhesion of PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells to cell culture dishes. This increase in the rate of adhesion was postulated to be important in NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth. We now report that epidermal growth factor (EGF) is also able to increase the rate of adhesion of PC-12 cells to cell culture dishes, but does not elicit neurite outgrowth. The dose-response curve for EGF is bell-shaped, in contrast to the more classically shaped dose-response curve obtained with NGF. Tetradecanoyl-phorbol-acetate (TPA), a potent tumor promoter, blocks the EGF-induced increase in adhesion rate of PC-12 cells, but does not alter the NGF-induced increase in adhesion rate. TPA shifts the EGF bindings curve to the right for PC-12 cells, but does not alter maximal EGF binding at saturating concentrations of EGF. The binding of NGF to PC-12 cells is not affected by TPA. NGF-induced neurite formation by PC-12 cells is unaffected by TPA, in contrast to the previously reported delay of neurite outgrowth of serum-deprived neuroblastoma cells and NGF-exposed chick embryonic ganglia cells. NGF and EGF both cause a decrease in the number of short microvilli and an increase in the number of long microvilli on PC-12 cells. TPA blocks the decrease in the number of short microvilli in EGF-treated cells, but not in NGF-treated cells. Long microvilli formation is blocked by TPA in both conditions, suggesting the latter are not involved in the increased adhesion rates.

Topics: Animals; Binding Sites; Cell Adhesion; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Microvilli; Nerve Growth Factors; Peptides; Pheochromocytoma; Phorbols; Rats; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Nerve Growth Factors; Ornithine Decarboxylase; Peptides; Pheochromocytoma; Receptors, Drug