Reversible expression of sm alpha-actin protein and sm alpha-actin mRNA in cloned cerebral endothelial cells.
The expression of smooth muscle (sm) alpha-actin was studied in cloned capillary cerebral endothelial cells of two phenotypes. Type I cells were cultured in medium containing 10% FCS, heparin and ECGS (or alpha-ECGF) and stained positive for a specific endothelial cell marker (Bandeiraea simplicifolia). Depletion of heparin and ECGS resulted in a smooth muscle-like appearance after 2-3 days. Cells of this phenotype, (type II) stained positive for the endothelial cell marker and for sm alpha-actin. In contrast to type I cells, type II cells expressed sm alpha-actin protein and mRNA as evidenced by Immunoblots and Northern blots. This phenotypic switch was shown to be reversible and so was the expression of sm alpha-actin.
Amberger
A
A
Institut für Molekularbiologie der Osterr, Salzburg, Austria.
Bauer
H
H
Tontsch
U
U
Gabbiani
G
G
Kocher
O
O
Bauer
H C
HC
D000199:Actins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply*; D002196:Capillaries / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002999:Clone Cells; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015870:Gene Expression; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015151:Immunoblotting; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D013552:Swine
D000199:Actins; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; C045475:Griffonia simplicifolia lectins; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006493:Heparin