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Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Nucleofection of Rodent Neuroblasts to Study Neuroblast Migration In vitro
Published on: November 12, 2013
The vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT) is involved in the extracellular ATP effect on neuronal differentiation
Aida Menéndez-Méndez1, Juan Ignacio Díaz-Hernández, M Teresa Miras-Portugal
1Facultad de Veterinaria, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular IV, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Before being released, nucleotides are stored in secretory vesicles through the vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT). Once released, extracellular ATP participates in neuronal differentiation processes. Thus, the expression of a functional VNUT could be an additional component of the purinergic system which regulates neuronal differentiation and axonal elongation. In vitro expression of VNUT decreases neuritogenesis in N2a cells differentiated by retinoic acid treatment, whereas silencing of VNUT expression increases the number and length of neurites in these cells. These results highlight the role of VNUT in the neuritogenic process because this transporter regulates the ATP content in neurosecretory vesicles.
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