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. 2011 Feb 2;27(1):15–22. doi: 10.1007/s12264-011-1042-4

Expressions of Axl and Tyro-3 receptors are under regulation of nerve growth factor and are involved in differentiation of PC12 cells

Axl 和Tyro-3 受体表达受神经生长因子调控并参与 PC12 细胞的分化

Qi Wang 1, Qing-Jun Lu 1, Bing Xiao 1, Yan Zheng 1,✉, Xiao-Min Wang 1,✉
PMCID: PMC5560280  PMID: 21270900

Abstract

Objective

Tyro-3 and Axl receptors are expressed in brain in a region-specific manner and their bioactivities in the central nervous system remain still elusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate their functions in neuronal differentiation.

Methods

PC12 cells overexpressing Tyro-3 or Axl were established by transfection with full-length CMV-Tyro-3-eCFP or CMV-Axl-eGFP plasmid, respectively. CMV-eGFP plasmid served as a control vector. After that, the fluorescence intensity and distributions of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) in the cells with or without nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment were real-time monitored.

Results

Expressions of Tyro-3 and Axl receptors were under the regulation of NGF and associated with neuronal differentiation. This was not observed in CMV-eGFP-transfected PC12 cells. Besides, confocal microscopy revealed that NGF affected intracellular localization of full-length Axl-eGFP and Tyro-3-eCFP in PC12 cells. Moreover, the development of outgrowth of differentiated PC12 cells under stimulation of NGF was promoted by overexpression of Tyro-3 or Axl.

Conclusion

Expressions of Tyro-3 and Axl receptors are under the regulation of NGF and are involved in NGF-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells.

Keywords: Axl, Tyro-3, nerve growth factor, PC12 cells, differentiation

Contributor Information

Yan Zheng, Phone: +86-10-83911707, FAX: +86-10-63291984, Email: zhengyan118@yahoo.com.cn.

Xiao-Min Wang, Phone: +86-10-83911707, FAX: +86-10-63291984, Email: xmwang@ccmu.edu.cn.

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