Activin is a nerve cell survival molecule.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Several neurotrophic molecules like Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) are known to promote neuron survival.
• A new assay is needed to discover novel neurotrophic molecules beyond those currently identified.
• P19 teratoma cells, when exposed to retinoic acid (RA), differentiate into nerve-like cells, but die in synthetic medium without RA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify novel molecules that can promote P19 cell survival, acting as a substitute for retinoic acid.
• To develop a new cell survival assay for discovering neurotrophic factors.

Main Methods:

• Assayed serum-free growth-conditioned media for P19 cell survival-promoting activity.
• Utilized P19 teratoma cells as a model system, observing their survival in the absence of retinoic acid.
• Identified the secreted molecule responsible for P19 cell survival.

Main Results:

• A molecule secreted by a rat eye cell line promoted the survival of P19 cells.
• This molecule also supported the survival of certain types of nerve cells.
• The identified molecule was activin, a known factor in hormone secretion.

Conclusions:

• Activin possesses neurotrophic properties, promoting the survival of P19 cells and some nerve cells.
• This discovery highlights activin as a potential target for developing new neurotrophic therapies.
• The study validates a novel cell survival assay for identifying new neurotrophic factors.