Human serotonin transporter expression during megakaryocytic differentiation of MEG-01 cells.
The serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) has been found altered in platelets of patients with genetically complex disorders, including mood-anxiety, pain and eating disorders. In this study, we used cell cultures of platelet precursors as models of investigation on mechanisms of SERT regulation: SERT expression was appraised during megakaryocytic differentiation of human megakaryoblastic MEG-01 cells. Cells were cultured for 8 days with 10(-7)M 4-beta-12-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (beta-TPA) in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and SERT was assessed by real time PCR, immunofluorescence microscopy, Western blot and [(3)H]5-HT re-uptake. Results revealed that SERT is present in control-untreated MEG-01 cells. beta-TPA-differentiating MEG-01 cells showed a redistribution of SERT fluorescence, diffuse to cell bodies and blebs along with a 3-fold SERT mRNA increase and a moderate raise in SERT protein (1.5/1.4-fold) by immunoblot and re-uptake assays. In summary, we have shown herein that control megakaryoblasts express the SERT protein. SERT is modulated by differentiation events, implying that SERT density in platelets is under the control of megakaryocytopoiesis stages. Differentiation of MEG-01 cells can provide considerable insight into interactions between SERT genetics, transmitter-hormonal/homeostatic mechanisms and signaling pathways.
Giannaccini
Gino
G
Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. ggino@farm.unipi.it
Betti
Laura
L
Palego
Lionella
L
Schmid
Lara
L
Fabbrini
Laura
L
Pelosini
Caterina
C
Gargini
Claudia
C
Da Valle
Ylenia
Y
Lanza
Mario
M
Marsili
Alessandro
A
Maffei
Margherita
M
Santini
Ferruccio
F
Vitti
Paolo
P
Pinchera
Aldo
A
Lucacchini
Antonio
A
D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014908:Triticum
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D012701:Serotonin; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate