Induction of c-fos, Calcitonin Gene Expression, and Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor Production in a Multipeptide-Secreting Neuroendocrine Cell Line*

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Abstract
The multipeptide-secreting 44-2C cell line maintains differentiated function when grown in a serum-free, growth factor- and hormone-deprived milieu. The cells continue to synthesize and secrete calcitonin (CT), CT gene-related peptide, neurotensin, and somatostatin and respond to cellular secretagogues such as GRF and acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor. We designed experiments to ascertain the functional role(s) of cellular factors involved in the maintenance of the differentiated state in 44-2C cells. We report here the phenotypic transformation that occurs in these cells in the course of adjustment to the serum-free state. We also show the differential increase in CT-specific mRNA, the transient induction of c-fos, and the characterization of biologically active acidic fibroblast growth factor.