Activated estrogen receptor mediates growth arrest and differentiation of a neuroblastoma cell line

Several reports demonstrate estrogen receptor involvement in specific brain functions. In addition, estrogen receptors are expressed at early stages of brain development, suggesting that estrogens or related molecules may play an instructive role in the differentiation of specific brain areas. The lack of model systems in which these phenomena could be studied prompted us to develop a neuroblastoma cell line expressing the estrogen receptor. The cell line expresses the hormone receptor at levels compatible with a physiological activity. The activated estrogen receptor is capable of blocking proliferation of the cells without exerting toxic effects. Following growth arrest, the cells display a neuron-like morphology and express tau and synaptophysin, two proteins synthesized in differentiating neurons. The cell line generated will provide a valuable model system for molecular and biochemical studies of the activity of estrogens in neural-derived cells.