title: Long-term depolarization changes morphological parameters of PC12 cells.
abstract: It is well known that neuronal differentiation is strongly dependent on the intracellular level of free calcium ions ([Ca2+]i). In the present study the morphological and intracellular free calcium concentration changes were compared on PC12 pheochromocytoma cells cultured in control conditions and in a medium with high KCl level. Culturing PC12 cells in a medium with 20-30 mM KCl deprived of nerve growth factor supported cell proliferation and rapid growth of small neurite-like processes. However, their lengths did not increase with prolongation of the time of culturing. During culturing with 40 mM KCl the growth of these processes became blocked; the cells stopped proliferating and showed signs of degeneration. Measurements of [Ca2+]i level during the first days of PC12 cells culturing in a hyperpotassium medium indicate that such changes in this level could be an important factor in the induction of the observed morphological alterations; however, other effects induced by membrane depolarization may also be responsible for them.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Physiology, Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Kiev, Ukraine.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Starikova
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Pogorelaya
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Kostyuk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D016716:PC12 Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011189:Potassium Chloride; D002118:Calcium