Differential display RT-PCR reveals genes associated with lithium-induced neuritogenesis in SK-N-MC cells

Lithium is shown to be neurotrophic and protective against variety of environmental stresses both in vitro as well as in vivo. In view of the wider clinical applications, it is necessary to examine alterations in levels of expression of genes affected by lithium. Lithium induces neuritogenesis in human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC. Our aim was to elucidate genes involved in lithium-induced neuritogenesis using SK-N-MC cells. The differential display reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (DD-RT-PCR) technique was used to study gene expression profiles in SK-N-MC cells undergoing lithium-induced neuritogenesis. Differential expression of genes in control and lithium (2.5 mM, 24 h)-treated cells was compared by display of cDNAs generated by reverse transcription of mRNA followed by PCR using arbitrary primers. Expression of four genes was altered in lithium-treated cells. Real-time PCR was done to confirm the levels of expression of each of these genes using specific primers. Lithium significantly up-regulated NCAM, a molecule known to stimulate neuritogenesis, occludin, a molecule participating in tight junctions and PKD2, a molecule known to modulate calcium transport. ANP 32c, a gene whose function is not fully known yet, was found to be down-regulated by lithium. This is the first report demonstrating altered levels of expression of these genes in lithium-induced neuritogenesis and contributes four hitherto unreported candidates possibly involved in the process.