Immortalized retinal neurons derived from SV40 T-antigen-induced tumors in transgenic mice.
Immortalized retinal neurons have been established in tissue culture from retinal tumors arising in transgenic mice. The mice carry the SV40 T-antigen under the control of 5' flanking sequences from the human phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) gene in order to target oncogene expression to adrenergic cell types. The retinal cultures contain a proliferation population of T-antigen-positive cells with a neuronal morphology that includes formation of extensive neuritic processes. We identified the cells as amacrine-derived neurons by immunofluorescence using the cell-specific monoclonal antibodies VC1.1 and HPC-1. The cells also express all three neurofilament subunits and GAP-43. These results indicate that CNS neurons can be transformed in transgenic animals to generate cultured cells with many properties of mature neurons.
Hammang
J P
JP
Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706.
Baetge
E E
EE
Behringer
R R
RR
Brinster
R L
RL
Palmiter
R D
RD
Messing
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000032:analysis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000473:pathology
D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase