Development of a neural phenotype in differentiating ganglion cell‐derived human neuroblastoma cells

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Abstract
Human neuroblastoma cells (clone SHSY‐5Y) induced to differentiate by 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) are shown to possess properties characteristic of mature ganglion cells. Elevation of the external K+ concentration, exposure to Ca2+ ionophore A23187, and acetylcholine all stimulate the release of preloaded 3H‐noradrenaline in the presence but not in the absence of added Ca2+. Acetylcholine causes a fall in the 86Rb+ or 14C‐TPMP equilibrium potential across the plasma membrane and stimulates 86Rb+ efflux. These responses are prevented by atropine. Acetylcholine and muscarine but not nicotine stimulate an increase in 45Ca2+ influx, an effect blocked by atropine. None of these responses have been observed in nondifferentiating cells. Muscarinic receptors, however, as measured by the binding of tritiated quinuclidinyl benzilate (3H‐QNB), were present to a similar extent in control and differentiated cells. Both cell types also exhibit an accelerated release of Ca2+ in response to acetylcholine, but the control cells were at least 1 order of magnitude more sensitive to the agonist.