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Glucocorticoids and nerve growth factor differentially modulate cell adhesion molecule L1 expression in PC12 cells
N J Grant1, T Claudepierre, D Aunis
1Institut Nationale de la Santé, Biologie de la Communication Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France.
Journal of Neurochemistry
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Glucocorticoids repress the expression of the L1 cell adhesion molecule in developing adrenal gland cells. This finding suggests a link between rising glucocorticoid levels and the regulation of L1 in adrenergic chromaffin cells.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1CAM) is implicated in chromaffin cell segregation in the adrenal gland.
- Glucocorticoids increase during adrenal gland development, potentially influencing cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that glucocorticoids repress L1 expression in adrenergic chromaffin cells.
- To explore the role of glucocorticoids in regulating L1 cell adhesion molecule expression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized PC12 cells as an experimental model.
- Assessed L1 protein levels using western blots.
- Quantified L1 mRNA levels via PCR and northern blots.
- Examined the effects of glucocorticoids and NGF on L1 expression and neurite outgrowth.
Main Results:
- Glucocorticoids significantly decreased L1 protein and mRNA levels in PC12 cells.
- NGF treatment increased L1 protein and mRNA levels.
- Glucocorticoids inhibited NGF-induced neurite outgrowth and L1 expression.
- Maximal L1 repression by dexamethasone occurred at 10(-7) M.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence that glucocorticoids down-regulate L1 expression.
- The findings support the hypothesis that increased glucocorticoid levels contribute to L1 repression in adrenergic chromaffin cells during development.