Establishment of mouse-immortalized hybrid clones expressing characteristics of differentiated neurons derived from the cerebellar and brain stem regions.
Two clonal immortalized neurons designated CL8c4.7 and CL8a5.2 were established by somatic cell fusion between a hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase-(HPRT-) deficient neuroblastoma N18TG2 and newborn mouse cerebellar/brain stem neurons. In the serum-containing medium without extra differentiating agents, both clones exhibited a morphology of differentiated neurons. They contained high levels of glutamate but no gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The CL8a5.2 clone synthesized choline acetyltransferase and serotonin. In immunocytochemical studies, both clones expressed 200 kD neurofilament protein, neuron-specific enolase, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), tau protein, neuronal cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), HNK-1, Thy-1.2, saxitoxin-binding sodium channel protein, and glutamate. Synaptophysin immunoreactivity was identified in the neuritic terminals of CL8c4.7 cells. Most of these antigens were barely detectable on N18TG2 cells. Electrophysiologically, both clones generated action potentials in response to electrical stimuli. The hybrid clones that express characteristics of differentiated neurons derived from the cerebellar and brain stem regions might be invaluable for the study of the molecular basis of neuronal differentiation and degeneration in these regions.
Division of Demyelinating Diseases and Aging, National Institute of Neuroscience, Tokyo, Japan.
J
J
Satoh
F
F
Gallyas
M
M
Endoh
T
T
Yamamura
T
T
Kunishita
T
T
Kobayashi
T
T
Tabira
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002460:Cell Line; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000032:analysis; D002999:Clone Cells; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006822:Hybrid Cells; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009447:Neuroblastoma; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000032:analysis
D000596:Amino Acids; D000906:Antibodies; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase