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Synthesis, storage and release of acetylcholine by a noradrenergic pheochromocytoma cell line

Nature volume 268, pages 349–351 (1977)Cite this article

Abstract

DEVELOPING neural crest tissues show a certain degree of plasticity with respect to neurotransmitter synthesis. For example, heterotopic transplants of presumptive noradrenergic tissue may develop cholinergic properties and vice versa1,2. Also, monolayer cultures of rat sympathetic neurones which synthesise catecholamines may be influenced to synthesise acetylcholine by exposure to ganglionic non-neuronal cells or to medium conditioned by such cells3,4. Recently, a clonal cell line (designated PC12) was established5 from a transplantable rat adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma6. This line expresses many characteristic properties of neural-crest-derived noradernergic adrenal chromaffin cells and sympathetic neurones, including synthesis, storage, uptake and specific release of catecholamines5,7,8. In addition, within several days after their exposure to nerve growth factor (or NGF, a protein which influences the growth and development of normal sympathetic neurones9), PC12 cells cease mitotic activity and extend long, neuronal processes5. We show here that noradrenergic cultures of PC12 cells can also synthesise, store and release acetylcholine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuropathology, Harvard Medical School and Department of Neuroscience, Children's Hospital Medical Center, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115

    LLOYD A. GREENE & GLEN REIN

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  1. LLOYD A. GREENE
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  2. GLEN REIN
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GREENE, L., REIN, G. Synthesis, storage and release of acetylcholine by a noradrenergic pheochromocytoma cell line. Nature 268, 349–351 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/268349a0

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