title: Characterization and use of the NSC-34 cell line for study of neurotrophin receptor trafficking.
abstract: This study addressed the suitability of the NSC-34 cell line as a motor neuron-like model for investigating neurotrophin receptor trafficking and associated subcellular processes. Initially, culture conditions were optimized for the use of NSC-34 cells in confocal microscopy. Cell surface markers, as well as markers associated with the regulated endosomal pathway thought to be associated with neurotrophin receptor transport, were identified. The study revealed the presence of a number of molecules previously not described in the literature, including the tropomyosin-like receptor kinase C (TrkC), sortilin, the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), and the lipid raft-associated ganglioside GT1b. The presence of both sortilin and Gt1b was of special interest, insofar as these markers have been implicated in direct relationships with the p75NTR receptor. Evidence is provided for neurotrophin-dependent internalization of p75NTR and TrkB. Both nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increased the rate of internalization of p75NTR, with internalization dynamics comparable to those described for other cell lines. Thus, these studies not only describe components of the regulatory process governing the trafficking of this important receptor but also clearly demonstrate the value of NSC-34 cells as a suitable motor neuron model for the study of internalization and trafficking of cell surface molecules.
authors: Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Human Physiology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia. dusan.matusica@flinders.edu.au
authors: Dusan
authors: D
authors: Matusica
authors: Matthew P
authors: MP
authors: Fenech
authors: Mary-Louise
authors: ML
authors: Rogers
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Rush
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000276:immunology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D021381:Protein Transport; D020813:Receptor, trkB / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D003470:Culture Media; D005732:Gangliosides; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; C517634:Ngfr protein, mouse; C016481:trisialoganglioside GT1; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020813:Receptor, trkB