Induction of myogenic differentiation in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line by phenylacetate

Sodium phenylacetate (NaPA) at concentrations ranging from 2 to 10 mM promoted myogenic differentiation of the human alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell line KFR. These concentrations inhibited DNA synthesis of the cells in a dose-dependent manner without significant effect on cell viability. The morphological differentiation of small mononuclear elements to terminal, elongated multinuclear structures resembling myotubes was accompanied by the expression of skeletal muscle myosin. The proportion of differentiated myosin-positive cells which was around 0.8-1.7% in control cultures 12 days after seeding was increased by NaPA treatment up to 47%. In the cytoplasm of differentiated cells, features of sarcomerogenesis were observed. These results suggest that NaPA is an effective inducer of rhabdomyosarcoma cell differentiation at concentrations that have been achieved in humans with no significant adverse effects.