Morphological differentiation of cultured astrocytes is blocked by cadmium or cobalt

The morphological transformation of astrocytes in primary culture from flat to process bearing is induced by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Calcium currents in cultured astrocytes are also enhanced by cAMP. This correlation suggests the hypothesis that cAMP-induced calcium entry causes the morphological differentiation. The experiments reported here show that cadmium or cobalt, which block astrocyte calcium channels, also block the cAMP-induced morphological differentiation. These results support the hypothesized link between calcium entry and astrocyte differentiation.