Figure 10.

(A) Graph showing the effect of the KIF2 antisense oligonucleotide ASKF2a (closed symbols) on KIF2 (squares) and β_gc (diamonds) immunofluorescence in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells. After 3 d in the presence of NGF (50 ng/ml), the cells were treated with ASKF2a (5 μM; solid arrow) for 36 h; at this time point (open arrow), the medium was changed and the cells maintained in antisense-free medium in the presence of NGF. Control cultures (open symbols) were treated with equivalent doses of the corresponding sense oligonucleotide. KIF2 immunofluorescence was measured in the cell body and growth cones. Only the values obtained from cell body measurements are presented; identical results were obtained from measurements performed within the growth cone area. βgc immunofluorescence was quantitated in the growth cone area. At least 100 cells were measured for each time point and experimental condition. Each value represents the mean ± SEM. (B) Graph showing changes in neurite length (mean total neuritic length per cell) in control (sense treated) and KIF2 antisense (ASKF2a, 5 μM) oligonucleotide-treated PC12 cells. Each value represents the mean ± SEM. A total of 50 cells were measured for each time point and experimental condition. Note that in the antisense-treated cultures the drop in KIF2 and β_gc immunofluorescence precedes the reduction of neurite length, and that when cells are released from the antisense treatment the appearance of KIF2 immunofluorescence precedes that of β_gc within the growth cone, a phenomenon which is then followed by an increase in neurite length.