Expression and possible functions of the cholinergic system in a murine embryonic stem cell line.
The expression of a cholinergic system during embryonic development is a widespread phenomenon. However, no precise function could be assigned to it during early pre-neural stages and there are only few studies that document when it precisely starts to be expressed. Here, we examined the expression of cholinergic components in a murine embryonic stem cell line by RT-PCR, histochemistry, and enzyme activity measurements; the acetylcholine (ACh) content was measured by HPLC. We have demonstrated that embryonic stem cells express ACh, acetylcholine receptors, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase (AChE and BChE). Butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE) expression was higher than AChE. The cholinesterase activity was down-regulated by adding specific inhibitors to culture medium. Inhibition of BChE led to a reduction of proliferation. This is the first demonstration that mouse embryonic stem cells express the full molecular equipment of a cholinergic system. Locally produced ACh might function as an intercellular signal, modulating the proliferation of stem cells.
Paraoanu
Laura E
LE
University of Technology Darmstadt, Institute of Zoology, Schnittspahnstrasse 3, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany. paraoanu@bio.tu-darmstadt.de
Steinert
Gunnar
G
Koehler
Alexander
A
Wessler
Ignaz
I
Layer
Paul G
PG
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002093:Benzenaminium, 4,4'-(3-oxo-1,5-pentanediyl)bis(N,N-dimethyl-N-2-propenyl-), Dibromide / Q000494:pharmacology; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D051379:Mice; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013770:Tetraisopropylpyrophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D002093:Benzenaminium, 4,4'-(3-oxo-1,5-pentanediyl)bis(N,N-dimethyl-N-2-propenyl-), Dibromide; D013770:Tetraisopropylpyrophosphamide; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase; D002802:Cholinesterases; D000109:Acetylcholine