A glycoprotein from neurites of differentiated neuroblastoma cells

Neurites were prepared by a novel method from differentiating mouse neuroblastoma cells. When electrically differentiated cells were labeled metabolically with L-[3H]fucose or D-[3H]glucosamine, both the neurites and the surface membranes showed the presence of a glycoprotein of apparent Mr = 200,000. In contrast, the level of this glycoprotein was reduced in the surface membranes from nondifferentiated cells and a radioactive glycoprotein of similar molecular weight was found in the growth medium. The method for the isolation of neurites is of potential usage in distinguishing specific proteins associated with growing neurites.