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. 1973 Aug;70(8):2448–2452. doi: 10.1073/pnas.70.8.2448

Mechanism of Action of Nerve Growth Factor and Cyclic AMP on Neurite Outgrowth in Embryonic Chick Sensory Ganglia: Demonstration of Independent Pathways of Stimulation

William A Frazier *, Cathleen Earhart Ohlendorf *, Linda Forrest Boyd *, Luigi Aloe †, Eugene M Johnson ‡, James A Ferrendelli ‡, Ralph A Bradshaw *
PMCID: PMC433754  PMID: 4365380

Abstract

The suggested role of adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate as the “second messenger” in the neurite outgrowth from chick embryonic sensory ganglia mediated by nerve growth factor was examined. Although N6,O2-dibutyryl adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate induces fiber outgrowth at concentrations of 1-5 mM, this response is morphologically distinct from that produced by nerve growth factor, is pH dependent, is mimicked by sodium butyrate, and does not occur in sympathetic ganglia. In addition, nerve growth factor does not alter the amounts of intracellular cyclic AMP during incubations up to 24 hr and does not stimulate adenylate cyclase in broken-cell preparations. Addition of theophylline, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase, causes increases in intracellular levels of cyclic AMP but does not affect fiber outgrowth. These observations indicate that the nerve growth factor response is not mediated through cyclic AMp and that stimulation of sensory ganglia by exogenous cyclic AMP derivatives is probably of limited physiological significance. These findings are also compatible with the developing hypothesis, based on structural similarities, that nerve growth factor and insulin exert their effects on their respective responsive tissues by related mechanisms.

Keywords: adenylate cyclase, theophylline, phosphodiesterase, insulin, sodium butyrate

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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