Ciliary neuronotrophic factor stimulates choline acetyltransferase activity in cultured chicken retina neurons. 1988

H D Hofmann
Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Frankfurt, F.R.G.

It has been demonstrated that cultured cholinergic retinal neurons from 8-day-old chicken embryos respond to a polypeptide factor present in retinal cell-conditioned medium (RCM) and in retinal extracts. Compared with control cultures, the activity of acetyl-CoA:choline O-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.6; ChAT) is enhanced more than twofold in neuronal retinal cultures grown for 7 days in the presence of RCM. The present study demonstrates that both ciliary neuronotrophic factor (CNTF), which is characterized by its trophic activity on parasympathetic ciliary neurons, and RCM exhibit identical stimulatory effects on ChAT activity in retinal monolayer cultures. Similarly, RCM supports the in vitro survival of ciliary neurons to the same extent as CNTF. The active species in RCM has a molecular weight (20,900 +/- 1,000) identical to that of CNTF, as determined by preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that cholinergic retinal neurons represent a central neuronal target for CNTF or a closely related protein.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008970 Molecular Weight The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule. Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D009414 Nerve Growth Factors Factors which enhance the growth potentialities of sensory and sympathetic nerve cells. Neurite Outgrowth Factor,Neurite Outgrowth Factors,Neuronal Growth-Associated Protein,Neuronotrophic Factor,Neurotrophic Factor,Neurotrophic Factors,Neurotrophin,Neurotrophins,Growth-Associated Proteins, Neuronal,Neuronal Growth-Associated Proteins,Neuronotrophic Factors,Neurotrophic Protein,Neurotrophic Proteins,Proteins, Neuronal Growth-Associated,Factor, Neurite Outgrowth,Factor, Neuronotrophic,Factor, Neurotrophic,Factors, Nerve Growth,Factors, Neurite Outgrowth,Factors, Neuronotrophic,Factors, Neurotrophic,Growth Associated Proteins, Neuronal,Growth-Associated Protein, Neuronal,Neuronal Growth Associated Protein,Neuronal Growth Associated Proteins,Outgrowth Factor, Neurite,Outgrowth Factors, Neurite,Protein, Neuronal Growth-Associated
D009419 Nerve Tissue Proteins Proteins, Nerve Tissue,Tissue Proteins, Nerve
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D012160 Retina The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent. Ora Serrata
D002470 Cell Survival The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability. Cell Viability,Cell Viabilities,Survival, Cell,Viabilities, Cell,Viability, Cell
D002478 Cells, Cultured Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others. Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D002642 Chick Embryo The developmental entity of a fertilized chicken egg (ZYGOTE). The developmental process begins about 24 h before the egg is laid at the BLASTODISC, a small whitish spot on the surface of the EGG YOLK. After 21 days of incubation, the embryo is fully developed before hatching. Embryo, Chick,Chick Embryos,Embryos, Chick
D002795 Choline O-Acetyltransferase An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of acetylcholine from acetyl-CoA and choline. EC 2.3.1.6. Choline Acetylase,Choline Acetyltransferase,Acetylase, Choline,Acetyltransferase, Choline,Choline O Acetyltransferase,O-Acetyltransferase, Choline
D003470 Culture Media Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as AGAR or GELATIN. Media, Culture

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