ISSN:
1365-2826
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Like neuronal cells, insulin producing cells (beta cells) possess nerve growth factor (NGF) binding sites and express mRNA coding for the low- and high-affinity NGF receptors, p75NGFR and Trk-A respectively. Although the role of NGF on neuronal cells is well documented, its function on beta cells is still unknown. As a first step towards the elucidation of the role of NGF on beta cells, we have characterized both types of NGF receptors on INS-1 cells, a beta cell line derived from a rat insulinorna and studied some early post-receptor events by comparing the signaling pathway of NGF in those cells and in PC12 cells, a well characterized NGF-responsive cell line. By polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemistry, cross-linking and Western blot analysis, we clearly demonstrated that Trk-A and p75NGFR, the two NGF receptors expressed in INS-1 cells and PC12 cells are similar. Moreover, upon NGF treatment, Trk-A is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues in both cell types in the same dose- and time-dependent manner. These data clearly demonstrate that the first step of NGF signal transduction is similar in PC12 and INS-1 cells. Although early responsive genes like NGFI-A and c-fos are induced in both cell types upon NGF treatment, the induction of c-jun expression is restricted to PC12 cells. Furthermore, the expression of late responsive genes, such as vgf and transin, which are induced by NGF in PC12 cells, are not induced in INS-1 cells. In conclusion, although the initial steps of NGF signal transduction are similar in PC12 and INS-1 cells, some of the later differ. These dissimilarities could suggest that NGF plays different roles in neuronal and pancreatic beta cells.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2826.1995.tb00664.x
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