Inhibition of neuronal phenotype by PTEN in PC12 cells.
The mechanisms of neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells are still not completely understood. Here, we report that the tumor suppressor PTEN has a profound effect on differentiation by affecting several pathways involved in nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling. When overexpressed in PC12 cells, PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten) blocked neurite outgrowth induced by NGF. In addition, these cells failed to demonstrate the transient mitogenic response to NGF, as well as subsequent growth arrest. Consistent with these observations was a finding that PTEN significantly inhibits NGF-mediated activation of the members of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathways, crucial for these processes. While exploring possible mechanisms of PTEN effects on NGF signaling, we discovered a significant down-regulation of both high-affinity (TrkA) and low-affinity (p75) NGF receptors in PTEN-overexpressing clones. Subsequent microarray analysis of several independent clonal isolates revealed a myriad of neuronal genes to be affected by PTEN. All of these changes were validated by quantitative PCR. Of particular interest were the genes for the key enzymes of the dopamine synthesis pathway, receptors for different neurotransmitters, and neuron-specific cytoskeleton proteins, among others. Some, but not all effects could be reproduced by pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K and/or MAPK, suggesting that PTEN may influence some genes by mechanisms independent of these signaling pathways. Our findings may shed new light on the role of this tumor suppressor during normal brain development and suggest a previously uncharacterized mechanism of PTEN action in neuron-like cells.
Musatov
Sergei
S
Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Roberts
Jill
J
Brooks
Andrew I
AI
Pena
John
J
Betchen
Simone
S
Pfaff
Donald W
DW
Kaplitt
Michael G
MG
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; D010641:Phenotype; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase