Properties of the nerve growth factor receptor of a clonal line of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.

The interaction of nerve growth factor (NGF) with its receptor on cells of the PC 12 cell line was studied. All experiments were done at 0.5 °C to minimize degradation and processes requiring membrane mobility. Under these conditions, a single class of high affinity binding sites with a dissociation constant of 2.9 × 10^?9 M was observed. The number of receptors per cell was 58000. The binding was linear with the number of cells in the assay and was not displaced by proteins other than native nerve growth factor. Trypsin treatment of the cells destroyed the specific binding. The removal of divalent cations had no effect on the binding. Culturing the cells for 2 weeks in NGF prior to assay did not change the receptor number or receptor affinity and there was a similar lack of effect of the density of the culture from which the cells were taken for assay. The present findings are compared with previous studies on the dorsal root ganglia and sympathetic ganglia neurons, and the implication for the use of PC 12 as a model for the study of NGF action are discussed.     

Ionic responses and growth stimulation induced by nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells

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.     

Calcium-dependent activation of glycogen phosphorylase in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells by nerve growth factor

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.     

Modulation of growth factor induced fiber outgrowth in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells by a fibronectin receptor antibody

Rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells respond to the binding of nerve growth factor (NGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by extending neurites in a manner resembling sympathetic neurons. This response requires cell attachment to an appropriate substratum (Fujii et al., J. Neurosci., 2:1157, 1982); attachment factors which function in this capacity include the adhesive proteins fibronectin and laminin. Incubating PC12 cells with a polyclonal antiserum directed against a putative 140-kDa fibroblast cell surface fibronectin receptor (anti-gp140) perturbed spreading but not attachment of the cells to fibronectin and laminin substrates. However, in the presence of anti-gp 140 or its Fab fragments, NGF-stimulated neurite outgrowth was dramatically reduced. The antibody also caused a retraction of previously extended neurites. SDS-PAGE analysis of immunoprecipitates of PC12 cells surface labeled with 125I identified a prominent 120-140-kDa band, suggesting that the site of anti-gp140 action in PC12 cells is also through a fibronectin receptor.     

Binding and degradation of nerve growth factor by PC12 pheochromocytoma cells

The specific binding of various concentrations of 125I-labeled nerve growth factor (NGF) to PC12 cells at 37 degrees C reached maxima after 90 min and then declined to 25% of maximal binding after 10 h. Decreased binding was accompanied by degradation of 125I-NGF and the appearance of acid-soluble biologically inactive 125I (mainly 125I-monoiodotyrosine) in the medium as well as a decrease in the number of surface NGF receptors. The time-dependent decrease in binding and the degradation of 125I-NGF were inhibited by low temperature and the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine while degradation was inhibited by metabolic energy inhibitors in the absence of glucose. Chloroquine also produced an increase in the accumulation of 125I-NGF which was not readily removed from the cells. These data suggest that 125I-NGF bound to PC12 cells is efficiently internalized by receptor-mediated endocytosis and degraded by the lysosomes. It appears from other data that this process does not produce the intracellular signals regulating neurite outgrowth.     

Expression of full-length polyglutamine-expanded Huntingtin disrupts growth factor receptor signaling in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.

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.     

Effects of 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells: Interactions with epidermal growth factor and nerve growth factor

The phorbol ester tumor promoter 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 K_i of 11–26 nM. Both TPA and EGF elicited similar biological responses in PC12 cells including enhanced incorporation of ³H-choline and ³²P-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 factor (NGF) which, in contrast to the former agents, is a differentiating stimulus for the 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.     

Selective effect of nerve growth factor on some Golgi and lysosomal enzyme activities of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells

Treatment with neuronal growth factor (NGF) results in the growth of neuronal processes by PC12 cells and a concomitant 70% increase in the area of the Golgi apparatus. To define the observed morphologic changes in biochemical terms, we investigated the effect of NGF treatment on some Golgi and lysosomal enzyme activities of PC12 cells. Enzyme activities characteristic of the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, plasma membranes, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum were measured in cell homogenates, in post-mitochrondrial supernatants, and in Golgi-enriched fractions from control and from NGF-stimulated PC12 cells. Treatment of PC12 cells with NGF did not change the level of the Golgi activity of UDPGal:GlcNAc galactosyltransferase while that of CMP-sialic acid:lactosylceramide sialyltransferase was increased three- to fivefold in all fractions studied. For lysosomal enzymes, NGF treatment resulted in a two- to threefold higher level of arylsulfatase activity compared to either acid phosphatase or acid alpha-mannosidase activities. These results indicate that there is a selective increase of at least one Golgi and one lysosomal activity as a result of NGF stimulation of PC12 cells. Both of these enzymes are involved in glycolipid metabolism. It is possible that the dramatic morphologic changes observed during NGF-induced differentiation of PC12 cells are associated not only with increased synthesis in the Golgi apparatus of plasma membrane components such as gangliosides, but also with increased degradation in lysosomes of other plasma membrane components such as sulfatide.     

Ultrastructural effects of nerve growth factor on PC 12 pheochromocytoma cells in spinner culture

PC12 pheochromocytoma cells treated with nerve growth factor (NGF) for two weeks in spinner cultures quickly begin to form processes after plating on an appropriate substrate, while cells freshly exposed to NGF in monolayer culture initiate neurite outgrowth only after a lag period of several days. The present ultrastructural studies indicate that PC 12 cells treated with NGF in spinner cultures do not form neurites, but do form short extensions comparable to those which have been reported within the first two days of exposure to NGF in monolayer cultures. These extensions contain organelles believed to be required for locomotion and for transport of cytoskeletal and membrane components and neurotransmitters. They also form bulbous distensions in which numerous chromaffin-type granules accumulate. These findings suggest that NGF may affect cells in spinner cultures by promoting development or activation of axonal transport mechanisms, and that the existence of these mechanisms may contribute to the neurite outgrowth which the cells exhibit when plated. NGF-treated PC 12 cells in spinner cultures do not accumulate the agranular synaptic-like vesicles, which are typically found in comparably treated monolayer cultures and which have been hypothesized to be sites of acetylcholine storage. These and other data demonstrate that attachment to a substrate can selectively modulate the responses of PC 12 cells to NGF.     

The internalization of nerve growth factor by high-affinity receptors on pheochromocytoma PC12 cells.

The internalization and subsequent fate of the two populations of nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors on pheochromocytoma PC12 cells were explored either by identifying the relative amounts and sizes of the receptors, after incubation of cells with [125I]NGF, by cross-linking with a photoreactive heterobifunctional reagent or by following the topological distribution of the cross-linked receptors with time. The ratio of the slow, high-affinity to the fast, low-affinity NGF receptor decreased over a 5-h incubation with [125I]NGF in a process which did not involve proteolytic conversion of the slow to the fast receptor. During this period the cross-linked slow receptor moved from a trypsin-labile to a trypsin-stable site suggestive of internalization. In contrast, the cross-linked fast NGF receptor remained trypsin sensitive for at least 2 h of incubation, indicative of a constant cell surface localization. The internalized [125I]NGF in the cross-linked slow NGF receptor was not degraded, indicating that cross-linking, by preventing the acid pH-induced dissociation of the NGF-receptor complex in the endosomes, blocks normal sorting of [125I]NGF to the lysosomes. The cross-linked receptor was not recycled to the cell surface. If this reflects the properties of the unmodified receptor then another process, possibly receptor conversion, is required to replenish slow NGF receptors in the cell surface.     

Nerve growth factor induces 5-HT3 recognition sites in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells

In rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, nerve growth factor (7S NGF) induced the expression of recognition sites that bind the specific 5-HT3 antagonist (S-) [3H]zacopride. Culturing PC12 cells for 8-12 days in the presence of 50 ng/ml NGF increased the density (Bmax) of (S-) [3H]zacopride binding sites in cell membranes (0-100,000 x g fraction) from 0 to 105 fmoles/mg protein. This binding exhibited high affinity for (S-) [3H]zacopride (Kd = 0.8 nM), was specific (greater than 95%), and was inhibited by 5-HT3 compounds with a rank of potency (quipazine greater than ICS 205-930 greater than GR38032F greater than BRL24924 approximately MDL 72222 greater than phenylbiguanide greater than or equal to serotonin greater than 2-methyl-serotonin greater than metoclopramide) which was distinct from neuroblastoma cells. Thus, NGF-differentiated PC12 cells possess a 5-HT3 receptor and should be useful to investigate its regulation and biochemical mechanism of action.     

Clonal variants of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells with altered response to nerve growth factor

We describe the isolation and characterization of clonal variants of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells which have been selected for loss of response to nerve growth factor (NGF). PC12 cells mutagenized with ethyl methanesulfonate were cultured in the presence of NGF, causing normal cells to cease proliferation and allowing the isolation of cell clones which do not show growth inhibition by NGF. Some but not all of these clones also failed to respond morphologically to NGF. Forty clones were isolated and characterized. Many exhibited altered morphologies of a variety of types, including clones with an NGF-independent formation of neurites and clones with various types of flattened epithelial morphology. Variant clones appeared to be mutants since their frequency of occurrence was increased by mutagen, the clones were generally phenotypically stable and no alteration in chromosomal composition was observed. Three clones lacked NGF receptor. Some clones responded morphologically to NGF (by forming neurites) without inhibition of proliferation. Several clones which did not otherwise respond to NGF nevertheless responded with transient membrane ruffling. Thus transient changes in cell surface morphology caused by NGF binding do not necessarily lead to subsequent responses. Several alternative hypotheses concerning the nature of the mutations induced are discussed.     

Nerve growth factor induces increased expression of a laminin-binding integrin in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells

Rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells exposed to nerve growth factor differentiate as sympathetic neurons and extend neurites on laminin and to a much lesser extent on fibronectin. Analysis of laminin fragments indicated that neurite outgrowth occurs mainly on fragment P1, corresponding to the center of the cross, and only poorly on fragment E8, a long arm structure that is active with other neuronal cells. Integrin antibodies prevented adhesion and neurite sprouting of these cells on laminin, fragment P1, and fibronectin. By affinity chromatography we isolated an integrin-type receptor for laminin consisting of two subunits with molecular massess of 180 and 135 kDa. The latter is recognized by an antiserum to integrin beta 1 subunit. The bound laminin receptor could be displaced by EDTA, but not by Arg-Gly-Asp or Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg peptides. Affinity chromatography on laminin fragments showed that the 180/135 kDa receptor binds to P1. The expression of the 180-kDa alpha subunit of the laminin receptor at the cell surface was increased 10-fold after NGF treatment. The effect of NGF is specific since the amount of a 150-kDa fibronectin-binding integrin alpha subunit remained unchanged. Moreover, the increased expression of the 180/135 kDa receptor at the cell surface corresponded to a selective increase in cell adhesion to laminin and to fragment P1. The 180/135-kDa complex is thus an integrin-type receptor for laminin whose expression and binding specificity correlates with the capacity of NGF-induced PC12 cells to extend neurites on laminin.     

Leumorphin has an anti-apoptotic effect by activating epidermal growth factor receptor kinase in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells

Endogenous opioid peptides, found in the central and peripheral nervous systems, perform neuromodulatory roles, and display a wide range of functional and pharmacological properties in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we investigated the effects of prodynorphin gene products on intracellular signaling events and cell survival in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Leumorphin, but not other prodynorphin gene products including dynorphin A, beta-neoendorphin and rimorphin (dynorphin B), increased cell viability in PC12 cells. The cytoprotective effect of leumorphin was dependent on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, but was insensitive to both naloxone, a general antagonist of the opioid receptor, and nor-binaltorphimine, a specific antagonist of the kappa opioid receptor. Moreover, a competition-binding assay clearly revealed that leumorphin had another binding site(s) in addition to that for the kappa opioid receptor. Interestingly, leumorphin induced activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor via a Src-dependent mechanism, which was proved to be responsible for the increased survival response. Flow cytometric and microscopic analysis showed that leumorphin rescued cells from serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. Collectively, we suggest that leumorphin prevents apoptosis via epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, which occur independent of the kappa opioid receptor.     

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

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

Insulin-like growth factors are mitogens for rat pheochromocytoma PC 12 cells

We have addressed the issue of a mitogenic effect of insulin-like growth factors IGF-I and IGF-II on the PC 12 line of rat pheochromocytoma cells. The proliferation of PC 12 cells cultured in serum-free medium is stimulated threefold by IGF-I and IGF-II with significantly higher potency than epidermal growth factor, whereas platelet-derived growth factor, nerve growth factor, growth hormone and bombesin are inactive. Two types of IGF receptor are present in PC 12 cells and the dose-response curves suggest that the mitogenic responses to IGF's are mediated by the IGF-I receptor. These results suggest that IGF-I and IGF-II act as mitogens on pluripotent chromaffin cells in the development of the peripheral nervous system and adrenal medulla as well as in promotion of in vivo growth of neural crest-derived tumors.     

Epidermal growth factor, but not nerve growth factor, stimulates tyrosine-specific protein-kinase activity in pheochromocytoma (PC12) plasma membranes

Rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells contain specific plasma membrane receptors for both epidermal growth factor (EGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Whereas EGF addition to PC12 cells causes a persistent enhancement of proliferation. NGF addition induces a transient stimulation of growth, followed by growth arrest and neuronal differentiation. Despite these differences in biological response, EGF and NGF share a number of early receptor-mediated responses, which are likely te be related to their effect on cell proliferation. In this paper we show that EGF, but not NGF, is able to stimulate the phosphorylation of membrane proteins. In addition, EGF was able to stimulate phosphorylation of a synthetic peptide (RR-SRC) by PC12 membranes in a concentration-dependent manner. Kinetic analysis of the phosphorylation reaction indicated that EGF increased the Vmax from 13 to 70 pmoles/min/mg protein, while no change was observed in Km. Furthermore, EGF was able to stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of angiotensin I and II, to the same extent as RR-SRC. In contrast no effects of NGF on peptide phosphorylation by PC12 membranes were observed. Cross-linking experiments demonstrated the presence of receptors for both NGF and EGF in PC12 membranes. These different effects of NGF and EGF on activation of membrane-associated protein-kinase activity demonstrate that NGF might be able to stimulate growth transiently without stimulating protein kinase activity.     

Metabolism via the pentose phosphate pathway in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells: Effects of nerve growth factor and 6-aminonicotinamide

Exposure of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells to 0.1 mM 6-aminonicotinamide (6AN) for 24 hours resulted in a 500-fold increase in 6-phosphogluconate indicating active metabolism of glucose via the oxidative enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway. Amounts of 6-phosphogluconate that accumulated in 6AN-treated cells at 24 hours were significantly increased by treatment of the cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) (100 ng 7S/ml) suggesting that metabolism of glucose via the pentose pathway at this time was enhanced by NGF. This stimulation of metabolism via the pentose pathway is probably a late response to NGF because initial rates of 6-phosphogluconate accumulation in 6AN-treated cells were the same in the presence and absence of NGF. Moreover, amounts of¹⁴CO₂ generated from 1-[¹⁴CO₂]glucose during the initial six hour incubation period were the same in control and NGF-treated cells. Specific activities of hexose phosphates labeled from 1-[¹⁴CO₂]glucose were also the same in control and NGF-treated cells. The observation that 6AN inhibited metabolism via the pentose phosphate pathway but failed to inhibit NGF-stimulated neurite outgrowth suggests that NADPH required for lipid biosynthesis accompanying NGF-stimulated neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells can be derived from sources other than, or in addition to, the oxidative enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway.Special Issue dedicated to Dr. O. H. Lowry.