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Differentiation of a Human Neural Stem Cell Line on Three Dimensional Cultures, Analysis of MicroRNA and Putative Target Genes
Published on: April 12, 2015
Sodium currents during differentiation in a human neuroblastoma cell line
1Ahmanson Neurobiology Laboratory, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine 90024.
The Journal of General Physiology
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Neuroblastoma cells exhibit electrical excitability, with action potentials driven by both tetrodotoxin-sensitive and TTX-resistant sodium currents. Differentiation increases overall sodium current density, primarily due to TTX-sensitive currents.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Human neuroblastoma cell line LA-N-5 exhibits electrophysiological properties.
- Understanding neuroblast excitability is crucial for developmental neuroscience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electrophysiological properties of LA-N-5 cells before and after retinoic acid-induced differentiation.
- To characterize the roles of TTX-sensitive and TTX-resistant sodium currents in neuroblast excitability.
Main Methods:
- Whole-cell patch clamp technique applied to LA-N-5 cells.
- Induction of cell differentiation using retinoic acid.
- Analysis of sodium current properties, including TTX sensitivity and voltage dependence.
Main Results:
- Undifferentiated LA-N-5 cells generate action potentials, indicating neuroblast excitability.
- Sodium currents are composed of TTX-sensitive and TTX-resistant components.
- Cell differentiation significantly increased total sodium current density, mainly due to a rise in TTX-sensitive current.
Conclusions:
- Developing sympathetic nervous system neuroblasts are electrically excitable.
- TTX-resistant sodium currents may initiate action potentials.
- Increased TTX-sensitive sodium current density drives the enhanced excitability observed after differentiation.
