Adverse effects of hyperbaric oxygen on [3H]uridine incorporation and uridine kinase activity in B104 rat neuroblastoma cells

The effects of hyperbaric oxygen on uracil nucleotide metabolism in B104 rat neuroblastoma cells were investigated. Cells exposed to 10 atm O₂ for 4 h incorporated markedly less [³H]uridine into the acid-soluble fraction and RNA compared to cells kept in ambient air. The acid-soluble fraction of the oxygen-treated cells contained less total [³H]uridine phosphates ([³H]UMP + [³H]UDP + [³H]UTP) than air-treated cells. Uridine kinase activity, assayed in cytosolic extracts from cells exposed to 10 atm O₂ for 4 h, was decreased by 46% compared to the air controls. The reduced enzyme activity which appears to account for the depressed [³H]uridine incorporation, may contribute to the lethal effects of oxygen in these cells.Abbreviations DMEM Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium - Hepes 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulphonic acid     

Rapidly metabolized glycoproteins in a neuroplastoma cell line

The metabolism of neuroblastoma cell glycoproteins was examined using l-[³H]fucose. Incubation of monolayer cultures with [³H]fucose resulted in a rapid uptake of the radioactive precursor and its incorporation into acid-insoluble macromolecules. Less than 3% of the [³H]fucose that was isolated from neuroblastoma cells by trichloroacetic acid precipitation was associated with glycolipids. The metabolism of fucosylated macromolecules was studied in cells which were labelled to a steady state, and then reincubated under conditions which limited reutilization of the radioactive precursor (40 mM unlabelled fucose). During reincubation of the cells, we observed a rapid metabolism (27% by 2 h)_ of the prelabelled macromolecules which stabilized within a cell generation time to give an overall rate of turnover of 9%. This rapid loss of radioactivity from the cells was not due to exocytosis since less than 4% of the [³H]-fucose was lost into the media as macromolecules during a 5 h reincubation period. The presence of 40 mM fucose in the media did not affect cell growth until after 24 h of incubation or cellular synthesis until after 15 h of incubation. When the metabolism of neuroblastoma cell glycoproteins was measured in the presence of 1.8 · 10^?4 M cycloheximide, there appeared to be a less rapid decrease in cell-associated specific activity, and an increased reutilization of [³H]fucose. Although the major proportion of the radioactivity remained as [³H]fucose, extensive incubation of neuroblastoma cells with this radioactive precursor led to increased amounts of tritium associated with other cellular components. However, a rapid rate of glycoprotein metabolism could also be demonstrated with cells incubated with [⁴C]fucose. This eliminated the possibility that the above results were restricted to the tritiated precursor and merely a reflection of hydrogen-tritium exchange.     

Effects of α2 and 2′-5′-oligoadenylate on tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium transport in neuroblastoma cellsand 2′-5′-oligoadenylate on tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium transport in neuroblastoma cells

We investigated the actions of human recombinant α₂-interferon and a secondary messenger of its action, 2′-5′-oligoadenylate, on tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive sodium transport using human (IMR-32) and murine (NIE-115) neuroblastoma cells. In biochemical experiments using²²Na, human interferon was shown to increase entry of²²Na into IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells through the channels activated by veratrine and scorpion toxin. This increase was clearly dose-dependent. Cell treatment with TTX completely inhibited this sodium transport. On the contrary, 2′-5′-oligoadenylate depressed entry of²²Na into neuroblastoma cells. The activation effect was not observed under the action of human α₂-interferon on TTX-sensitive sodium flows to the murine neuroblastoma cells, which demonstrated the species-related specificity of this agent.     

Morphologic Differentiation of Mouse Neuroblastoma Cells induced <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> by Dibutyryl Adenosine 3′:5′-Cyclic Monophosphate

The mechanism of mammalian neural differentiation is still obscure; but the availability of mouse neuroblastoma cells in vitro provides an opportunity to study some possible inducers of differentiation and this may help to elucidate the events involved at the molecular level. We have reported¹ that X-irradiation of mouse neuroblastoma cells in vitro induces the formation of axons. The differentiated cells seem to undergo maturation: the soma and nucleus increase in size and the cytoplasm becomes granular. Here we report that N⁶O² dibutyryl adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) induces axon formation in mouse neuroblastoma cells in vitro.     

Metabolism of polyamines in mouse neuroblastoma cells in culture: formation of GABA and putreanine.

—Polyamine metabolism of mouse neuroblastoma cells grown in culture was studied with special reference to the synthesis of GABA from putrescine and putreanine from spermidine. This study shows that neuroblastoma cells in the presence of a complete culture medium containing calf serum readily metabolized [¹⁴C]putrescine to GABA; the rate of synthesis is similar to the rate of synthesis of spermidine from putrescine. In the absence of serum the conversion of putrescine to GABA is minimal. In the presence of serum GABA formation is completely inhibited by the diamine oxidase inhibitor aminoguanidine. GABA synthesis does not occur in the absence of cells. The GABA synthesized is not readily metabolized to succinate or homocarnosine. Mouse neuroblastoma cells metabolized [¹⁴C]ornithine to putrescine, GABA, and spermidine. Spermidine was metabolized to putrescine, putreanine and spermine.     

ConA induced changes in energy metabolism of rat thymocytes

The influence of ConA on the energy metabolism of quiescent rat thymocytes was investigated by measuring the effects of inhibitors of protein synthesis, proteolysis, RNA/DNA synthesis, Na⁺K⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺-ATPase and mitochondrial ATP synthesis on respiration. Only about 50% of the coupled oxygen consumption of quiescent thymocytes could be assigned to specific processes using two different media. Under these conditions the oxygen is mainly used to drive mitochondrial proton leak and to provide ATP for protein synthesis and cation transport, whereas oxygen consumption to provide ATP for RNA/DNA synthesis and ATP-dependent proteolysis was not measurable. The mitogen ConA produced a persistent increase in oxygen consumption by about 30% within seconds. After stimulation more than 80% of respiration could be assigned to specific processes. The major oxygen consuming processes of ConA-stimulated thymocytes are mitochondrial proton leak, protein synthesis and Na⁺K⁺-ATPase with about 20% each of total oxygen consumption, while Ca²⁺-ATPase and RNA/DNA synthesis contribute about 10% each. Quiescent thymocytes resemble resting hepatocytes in that most of the oxygen consumption remains unexplained. In contrast, the pattern of energy metabolism in stimulated thymocytes is similar to that described for Ehrlich Ascites tumour cells and splenocytes, which may also be in an activated state. Most of the oxygen consumption is accounted for, so the unexplained process(es) in unstimulated cells shut(s) off on stimulation.     

Neuroblasts-glia interaction. The effect of co-cultivation upon ecto-ATPase activity of neuroblastoma and glioma cells.

The effect of cell contact and cell medium upon the ecto-enzymes, Mg²⁺- and Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase and 5′-nucleotidase were studied in nervous system cells in tissue culture. Conditions were worked out for co-culture and rseparation of glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cells so that the effects upon each of the co-cultured cell lines after interaction of these cells could be reliably determined. Co-cultivation of mouse neuroblastoma and glioma cell lines markedly enhanced Mg²⁺- and Ca²⁺-dependent ecto-ATPase activity. Evidence was obtained which indicates that increase in ecto-ATPase of co-cultured neuro- and glioblastoma cells occurs in both cell types. Ecto-ATPase was 500% of the original level in clonal line NN astroblasts after co-culture with M1 neuroblasts. This activity decreased over 50 transfers during the period of about a year. Increase in ecto-ATPase and morphological differentiation of M1 neuroblastoma cells after co-culture with NN astroblasts could also be brought about simply by treatment with the medium from NN cell cultures. Co-cultivation of neuroblastoma and glioma cells does not change significantly the specific activity of ecto-5′-nucleotidase.     

ConA induced changes in energy metabolism of rat thymocytes

The influence of ConA on the energy metabolism of quiescent rat thymocytes was investigated by measuring the effects of inhibitors of protein synthesis, proteolysis, RNA/DNA synthesis, Na⁺K⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺-ATPase and mitochondrial ATP synthesis on respiration. Only about 50% of the coupled oxygen consumption of quiescent thymocytes could be assigned to specific processes using two different media. Under these conditions the oxygen is mainly used to drive mitochondrial proton leak and to provide ATP for protein synthesis and cation transport, whereas oxygen consumption to provide ATP for RNA/DNA synthesis and ATP-dependent proteolysis was not measurable. The mitogen ConA produced a persistent increase in oxygen consumption by about 30% within seconds. After stimulation more than 80% of respiration could be assigned to specific processes. The major oxygen consuming processes of ConA-stimulated thymocytes are mitochondrial proton leak, protein synthesis and Na⁺K⁺-ATPase with about 20% each of total oxygen consumption, while Ca²⁺-ATPase and RNA/DNA synthesis contribute about 10% each. Quiescent thymocytes resemble resting hepatocytes in that most of the oxygen consumption remains unexplained. In constrast, the pattern of energy metabolism in stimulated thymocytes is similar to that described for Ehrlich Ascites tumour cells and splenocytes, which may also be in an activated state. Most of the oxygen consumption is accounted for, so the unexplained process(es) in unstimulated cells shut(s) off on stimulation.     

CD57(high) Neuroblastoma Cells Have Aggressive Attributes Ex Situ and an Undifferentiated Phenotype in Patients

Background

Neuroblastoma is thought to originate from neural crest-derived cells. CD57 defines migratory neural crest cells in normal development and is expressed in neuroblastoma.

Methodology and Principal Findings

We investigated the role of CD57 expression in neuroblastoma cells ex situ and in situ. Compared to CD57^low U-NB1 neuroblastoma cells, CD57^high cells developed tumors with decreased latency after orthotopic transplantation into adrenal glands of mice. In addition, CD57^high U-NB1 and SK-N-BE(2)-C neuroblastoma cells were also more clonogenic, induced more spheres and were less lineage-restricted. CD57^high cells attached better to endothelial cells and showed enhanced invasiveness. While invasion of U-NB1 cells was inhibited by blocking antibodies against CD57, neither invasion of SK-N-BE(2)-C cells nor adhesion of U-NB1 and SK-N-BE(2)-C cells was attenuated. After tail vein injection only CD57^high cells generated liver metastases, while overall metastatic rate was not increased as compared to CD57^low cells. In stroma-poor neuroblastoma of patients CD57^high cells were associated with undifferentiated tumor cells across all stages and tended to be more frequent after chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Strong expression of CD57 correlates with aggressive attributes of U-NB1 and SK-N-BE(2)-C neuroblastoma cells and is linked with undifferentiated neuroblastoma cells in patients.     

Hsp27 suppresses the Cu2+-induced amyloidogenicity,redox activity,and cytotoxicity of α-synuclein by metal ion stripping

Aberrant copper homeostasis and oxidative stress have critical roles in several neurodegenerative diseases. Expression of heat-shock protein 27 (Hsp27) is elevated under oxidative stress as well as upon treatment with Cu²⁺, and elevated levels of Hsp27 are found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. We demonstrate, using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy as well as isothermal titration calorimetry studies, that Hsp27 binds Cu²⁺ with high affinity (K_d ~10⁻¹¹ M). Treating IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells with Cu²⁺ leads to upregulation of endogenous Hsp27. Further, overexpression of Hsp27 in IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells confers cytoprotection against Cu²⁺-induced cell death. Hsp27 prevents the deleterious interaction of Cu²⁺ with α-synuclein, the protein involved in Parkinson disease and synucleinopathies. Hsp27 attenuates Cu²⁺- or Cu²⁺–α-synuclein-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species and confers cytoprotection on IMR-32 cells as well as on mouse primary neural precursor cells. Hsp27 prevents Cu²⁺–ascorbate or Cu²⁺–α-synuclein–ascorbate treatment-induced increase in mitochondrial superoxide level and mitochondrial disorganization in IMR-32 cells. Hsp27 dislodges the α-synuclein-bound Cu²⁺ and prevents the Cu²⁺-mediated amyloidogenesis of α-synuclein. Our findings that Hsp27 binds Cu²⁺ with high affinity leading to beneficial effects and that Hsp27 can dislodge Cu²⁺ from α-synuclein, preventing amyloid fibril formation, indicate potential therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases involving aberrant Cu²⁺ homeostasis.     

New Type of Oxygenase Involved in the Metabolism of Propane and Isobutane

Nocardia paraffinicum (Rhodococcus rhodochrous), a hydrocarbon-degrading microorganism, was used in a study of propane and isobutane metabolism. The bacterium was able to utilize propane or isobutane as a sole source of carbon, and oxygen was found to be essential for its metabolism. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that n-propanol was the major compound recovered from the metabolism of propane by resting cells, although trace amounts of isopropanol and acetone were detected. When a mixture of propane and isobutane was used, drastic inhibition (72 to 88%) of hydrocarbon utilization by resting cells occurred. The ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen consumed was found to be approximately 2:1 during the metabolism of propane or isobutane by resting cells when these substrates were provided individually to the organism. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of products formed from ¹⁸O₂ confirmed that the initial oxidative step in the metabolism of these substrates involved molecular oxygen. The proportion of the alcohol containing ¹⁸O was the same as that of ¹⁸O₂ in the gas mixture. Only a negligible amount of ¹⁸O was detected in the alcohol when H₂¹⁸O was incorporated into the system. The observed 2:1 ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen consumption suggests that the oxygenase in N. paraffinicum, unlike the conventional mono- or dioxygenases, requires two hydrocarbon-binding sites for each of the oxygen-binding sites and is therefore an intermolecular dioxygenase. The newly described oxygenase, which catalyzes the reaction of two molecules of propane with one molecule of oxygen to yield two molecules of a C₃ alcohol, is proposed as the initial oxidation step of the hydrocarbon substrate.     

Reduced Na+/K+ ATPase transport activity,resting membrane potential,and bradykinin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol synthesis by polyol accumulation in cultured neuroblastoma cells

In these studies we examined the effect of polyol accumulation on neural cellmyo-inositol metabolism and properties. Neuroblastoma cells were cultured for two weeks in media containing 30 mM glucose, fructose, galactose or mannose with or without 0.4 mM sorbinil or 250 Mmyo-inositol. Chronic exposure of neuroblastoma cells to media containing 30 mM glucose, galactose, or mannose caused a decrease inmyo- inositol content and myo-[2-³H]inositol accumulation and incorporation into phosphoinositides compared to cells cultured in unsupplemented medium or medium containing 30 mM fructose as an osmotic control. These monosaccharides each caused an increase in intracellular polyol levels with galactitol > sorbitol = mannitol accumulation. Chronic exposure of neuroblastoma cells to media containing 30 mM glucose, galactose, or mannose caused a significant decrease in Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase transport activity, resting membrane potential, and bradykinin-stimulated³²P incorporation into phosphatidylinositol compared to cells cultured in medium containing 30 mM fructose. In contrast, basal incorporation of³²P into phosphatidylinositol or basal and bradykinin-stimulated³²P incorporation into phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate were not effected. Each of these cellular functions as well asmyo-inositol metabolism and content and polyol levels remained near control values when 0.4 mM sorbinil, an aldose reductase inhibitor, was added to the glucose, galactose, or mannose supplemented media.myo-Inositol metabolism and content and bradykinin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol synthesis were also maintained when media containing 30 mM glucose, galactose, or mannose was supplemented with 250 Mmyo-inositol. The results suggest that polyol accumulation induces defects in neural cellmyo-inositol metabolism and certain cell functions which could, if they occurred in vivo, contribute to the pathological defects observed in diabetic neuropathy.     

The antitrypanosomal drug melarsoprol competitively inhibits thiamin uptake in mouse neuroblastoma cells

Melarsoprol is the main drug used for the treatment of late-stage sleeping sickness, although it causes severe side-effects such as encephalopathy and polyneuropathy leading to death in some patients. Recent data suggest that melarsoprol and its active metabolite melarsenoxide interfere with thiamin transport and metabolism in E. coli and yeast, but there are no data concerning their possible effects on thiamin metabolism in mammalian cells. We tested both drugs on thiamin transport in cultured mouse neuroblastoma cells using ¹⁴C-labeled thiamin. Melarsoprol, competitively inhibits high-affinity thiamin transport in mouse neuroblastoma cells with a K_i of 44 μmol/L. However, the active compound melarsenoxide has no inhibitory effect. This suggests that the side effects of melarsoprol treatment are unlikely to be due to inhibition of thiamin transport by melarsenoxide, its main metabolite in the brain.     

Functional differentiation of a human ganglion cell derived neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y induced by a phorbol ester (TPA)

When the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y is exposed to 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) the cells grow long processes indicative of neural differentiation. Concomitantly there is an increase in the resting membrane potential from ?44 ± 2 mV found in untreated cells to ?63 ± 4 mV after induction. The TPA treated cells are depolarized when the external potassium concentration is increased to 46 mM and upon addition of veratridine. In contrast to the untreated cells depolarization in differentiated cells leads to an increase in the rate of Ca²⁺ influx. This increase in Ca²⁺ influx is blocked by the Ca²⁺ channel antagonist, verapamil, while the Na⁺ channel blocker tetrodotoxin only marginally inhibits the K⁺ depolarization-induced Ca²⁺ influx.The results suggest that the induction of morphological differentiation in this cell line is associated with the appearance of features of excitable cells.     

Identification of the insulin receptor in undifferentiated and differentiated NB-15 mouse neuroblastoma cells by affinity labeling

Plasma membranes prepared from clonal NB-15 mouse neuroblastoma cells were sequentially incubated with ¹²⁵I-labeled insulin (10 nM) and the bifunctional cross-linking agent disuccinimidyl suberate. This treatment resulted in the cross-linking of ¹²⁵I-labeled insulin to a polypeptide that gave an apparent M_r of 135 000 on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresed in the presence of 10% β-mercaptoethanol. Affinity labeling of this polypeptide was inhibited by the presence of 5 μM unlabeled insulin, but not by 1 μM unlabeled nerve growth factor. Using the same affinity labeling technique, ¹²⁵I-labeled nerve growth factor (1 nM) did not label any polypeptide appreciably in the plasma membranes of NB-15 cells but labeled an M_r 145 000 and an M_r 115 000 species in PC-12 rat pheochromocytoma cells. The number of insulin binding sites per cell in the intact differentiated NB-15 mouse neuroblastoma cells was approx. 6-fold greater than that in the undifferentiated NB-15 mouse neuroblastoma cells as measured by specific binding assay, suggesting an increase of the number of insulin receptors in NB-15 mouse neuroblastoma cells during differentiation.     

Decreased myo-lnositol Uptake Is Associated with Reduced Bradykinin-Stimulated Phosphatidylinositol Synthesis and Diacylglycerol Content in Cultured Neuroblastoma Cells Exposed to L-Fucose

Abstract: L-Fucose is a potent, competitive inhibitor of myo-inositol transport by cultured mammalian cells. Chronic exposure of neuroblastoma cells to L-fucose causes a concentration-dependent decrease in myo-inositol content, accumulation, and incorporation into phosphoinositides. In these studies, L-fucose supplementation of culture medium was used to assess the effect of decreased myo-inositol metabolism and content on bradykinin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol synthesis and diacylglycerol production. Chronic exposure of cells to 30 mML-fucose caused a sustained decrease in bradykinin-stimulated, but not basal, ³H-inositol phosphate release and ³²P incorporation into phosphatidylinositol in cells incubated in serum-free, unsupplemented medium. In addition, ³²P incorporation into phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate was not altered in L-fucose-conditioned cells. Acute exposure of cells to serum-free medium containing 30 mM L-fucose did not affect either basal or bradykinin-stimulated ³²P incorporation into phosphatidylinositol. Basal diacylglycerol content was decreased by 20% in cells chronically exposed to 30 mM L-fucose, although analysis of the molecular species profile revealed no compositional change. Bradykinin stimulated diacylglycerol production in neuroblastoma cells by increasing the hydrolysis of both phosphoinositides and phosphatidylcholine. Bradykinin-stimulated production of total diacylglycerol was similar for control and L-fucose-conditioned cells. However, there was a decrease in the bradykinin-induced generation of the 1 -stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl diacylglycerol molecular species in the cells chronically exposed to 30 mM L-fucose. This molecular species accounts for about 70% of the composition of phosphoinositides, but only 10% of phosphatidylcholine. The results suggest that a decrease in myo-inositol uptake results in diminished agonist-induced phosphatidylinositol synthesis and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in cultured neuroblastoma cells grown in L-fucose-containing medium.     

Sodium channel activation does not alter lipid metabolism in cultured neuroblastoma cells

The interaction of voltage-sensitive Na⁺-channels and membrane lipid metabolism was examined by incubating cultured neuroblastoma cells with neurotoxins which alter the voltage-dependent relationship between the closed and open conformation of the channel protein. Guanidinium flux rate, a measure of Na⁺-channel activation, was increased 10-fold by the combined action of veratridine (100 M) and scorpion venom (28 g/ml). This response was completely blocked by tetrodotoxin (1 M). Under the same experimental conditions, the toxins did not increase the efflux of [³H]arachidonic acid from prelabeled cell membrane lipids or stimulate uptake of exogenous [³H]arachidonic acid. In addition, altering membrane fatty acid composition by incubating cells for 24 hr in a medium containing 50 M arachidonic or oleic acid did not alter guanidinium flux rates relative to that of control cultures. When cells were pulsed with³²Pi for 60 min and stimulated by veratridine plus scorpion venom for an additional 30 min, uptake of³²Pi into phosphatidylinositol as reduced; stimulating cells with bradykinin, a receptor agonist which activates the inositol cycle, promoted a 3.8 fold increase. Polyphosphoinositide turnover was not affected by Na⁺-channel activation, but was stimulated by bradykinin. These results suggest that voltage-sensitive Na⁺-channel activation in cultured neuroblastoma cells can function independent of membrane phospholipid and fatty acid metabolism.     

Studies on the Biochemistry and Fine Structure of Silica Shell Formation in Diatoms. Photosynthesis and Respiration in Silicon-Starvation Synchrony of Navicula pelliculosa

Rates of photosynthesis, measured by oxygen electrode or by ¹⁴CO₂ fixation, dark respiration and ³²P-phosphate incorporation are reported for the silicon-starvation synchrony of the fresh water diatom Navicula pelliculosa. During late exponential growth the rates were consistent with increase in carbon mass. During silicon starvation, rates of carbon dioxide fixation, oxygen evolution and ³²P incorporation fell, and the saturating light intensity decreased from 27,000 lux to 5000 lux. Reintroduction of silicon led to immediate transients in all parameters studied, followed by a prolonged increase in rate of dark respiration and a gradual increase in apparent photosynthesis. During release of daughter cells, the rates of dark respiration decreased as photosynthesis and ³²P incorporation increased. These results are discussed in relation to effects of silicon on the energy metabolism of the diatom.     

Effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on tyrosine uptake and metabolism in neuroblastoma cultures

A series of thin-layer Chromatographic (TLC) systems were employed to study the effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP) on the metabolism of ³H-tyrosine in neuroblastoma cultures. The neuroblastoma monolayer cultures incubated with radiolabelled tyrosine synthesized di-hydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE), in confirmation of previous reports identifying these compounds in neuroblastoma cultures. In addition, we found evidence suggesting the presence of metabolites of DA and NE, that is, homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) together with 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA). When these cultures were grown in the presence of db-cAMP for 3 days, tyrosine uptake was increased with a proportional increase in tyrosine hydroxylation. This effect persisted in the absence of db-cAMP, but it was not apparent with only 90 min exposure to db-cAMP. Suspension cultures showed the same baseline level of tyrosine uptake as did monolayer cultures, but the uptake in suspension cultures failed to increase with db-cAMP treatment. It is suggested that the db-cAMP induced differentiation of the neuroblastoma cells in monolayer cultures was associated with induction of a tyrosine uptake system.