Multiple ecto-nucleotidases in PC12 cells: identification and cellular distribution after heterologous expression

The physiological action of extracellular ATP and other nucleotides in the nervous system is controlled by surface-located enzymes (ecto-nucleotidases) of which several families with partially overlapping substrate specificities exist. In order to identify ecto-nucleotidases potentially associated with neural cells, we chose PC12 cells for analysis. PC12 cells revealed surface-located ATPase and ADPase activity with apparent K(m)-values of 283 microM and 243 microM, respectively. Using PCR we identified the mRNA of all members of the ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase family investigated (NTPDase1 to NTPDase3, NTPDase5/6), of ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase3 (NPP3), tissue-non-specific alkaline phosphatase and ecto-5'-nucleotidase. The surface-located catalytic activity differed greatly between the various enzyme species. Our data suggest that hydrolysis of ATP and ADP is mainly due to members of the ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase family. Activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase was very low and activity of NPP3 was absent. For a detailed analysis of the cellular distribution of ecto-nucleotidases single and double transfections of PC12 cells were performed, followed by fluorescence analysis. Ecto-nucleotidases were distributed over the entire cell surface and accumulated intracellularly in varicosities and neurite tips. PC12 cell ecto-nucleotidases are likely to play an important role in terminating autocrine functions of released nucleotides and in producing extracellular nucleosides supporting the survival and neuritic differentiation of PC12 cells.