Differential expression of Bcl-2-related proteins in differentiating NT2 cells

• Published in: Neuroreport Vol. 11; no. 7; pp. 1421 - 1425
• Main Authors: Guillemain, Isabelle, Gaboyard, Sophie, Fontès, Ghislaine, Saunier, Monique, Privat, Alain, Patey, Gilles
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 15-05-2000; Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
• Subjects: Ageing, cell death; Apoptosis - physiology; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; bcl-X Protein; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cell physiology; DNA Primers; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - physiology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Molecular and cellular biology; Neurons - chemistry; Neurons - cytology; Proto-Oncogene Proteins - analysis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins - genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - analysis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - genetics; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Teratoma; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Immunohistochemistry; Polymerase chain reaction; Cell culture; Investigation method; Cell differentiation; Gene expression; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 0959-4965; 1473-558X
• DOI: 10.1097/00001756-200005150-00014

Although the role of Bcl-2-related proteins as regulators of the apoptotic process has been well documented, recent studies suggest that they might also be implicated in neuronal differentiation. We have studied by immunocytochemistry, Western blotting and RT-PCR the expression pattern of BclxL, Bcl-2 and BAX in the in vitro model of neuronal differentiation constituted by retinoic acid (RA)-treated NTera-2/D1 (NT2/D1) cells. Whereas BAX level did not change significantly during the RA treatment, Bcl-xL level increased markedly during the first week, before returning to basal level during the second week. Bcl–2 expression, undetectable in undifferentiated cells, increased progressively from the first week. From our results, we suggest that, at least in our model, Bcl-2-related proteins might be involved in neuronal differentiation.