Content and release of neurotensin in PC12 pheochromocytoma cell cultures: modulation by dexamethasone and nerve...

The production of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity was investigated in cultured PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells with and without the addition of nerve growth factor (NGF) and dexamethasone. Both monolayer cultures and spinner cultures contained measurable amounts of neurotensin. In the monolayer cultures supplemented with NGF and dexamethasone, cell and medium concentrations of neurotensin increased approx. 100-fold. In the spinner cultures the effect of the additives was less potent and the increase in neurotensin content, while still considerable, was approximately an order of magnitude less. Chromatographic analysis of medium and extracts of the cells from monolayer cultures indicated that the majority of the immunoreactivity coeluted in the same position as synthetic neurotensin, with recoveries of 68 and 85%, respectively. The effect of NGF and dexamethasone on neurotensin production differs significantly from their effect on catecholamine production in PC12 cells, and this suggests the possibility of independent regulation.