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Chromatin and cell surface receptors mediate melanoma cell growth response to nerve growth factor

E M Rakowicz-Szulczynska1, U Reddy, A Vorbrodt

  • 1Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.

Molecular Carcinogenesis
|January 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Nerve growth factor (NGF) initially stimulates melanoma cell growth. However, prolonged NGF exposure induces a chromatin receptor, inhibiting cell proliferation and RNA synthesis, suggesting distinct receptor functions.

Area of Science:

  • Melanoma cell biology
  • Neurotrophin signaling pathways

Background:

  • Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a role in neuronal development and survival.
  • The function of NGF in melanoma cell growth is not fully understood.
  • NGF receptors are typically located on the cell surface.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of NGF on melanoma cell growth and receptor expression.
  • To determine the role of cell-surface and potential chromatin-bound NGF receptors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized primary melanoma cell line WM 164 and a transfected variant (TrWM 164) with altered NGF receptor levels.
  • Assessed cell growth response to NGF exposure.
  • Investigated NGF receptor expression on the cell surface and within the chromatin.

Main Results:

  • Both cell lines showed initial growth stimulation by NGF.
  • Neither cell line internalized NGF or expressed a chromatin receptor initially.
  • Prolonged NGF exposure (10 days) induced a 230,000 Mr chromatin protein (receptor).
  • This induced chromatin receptor led to NGF binding to chromatin, inhibiting ribosomal RNA synthesis and cell proliferation.

Conclusions:

  • Melanoma cells possess both cell-surface and inducible chromatin receptors for NGF.
  • The cell-surface receptor mediates initial growth stimulation.
  • The chromatin receptor mediates growth inhibition, suggesting distinct functional roles for NGF receptors.

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