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U.S. Department of Energy
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Studies on nerve growth and repair

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5177536
The transition of nerve cell from a dividing undifferentiated cell to a morphologically differentiated nondividing cell was studied. Pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells respond to nerve growth factor (NGF) by extending electrically excitable neurites. Yet by labeling these cells with /sup 3/H-thymidine and examining them autoradiographically, evidence for continued DNA replication in neurite bearing neurons was found. NGF receptors of two classes are expressed on PC12 cells and other NGF dependent neurons. By labeling differentiated PC12s in culture with /sup 125/I-NGF and examining them autoradiographically both receptor classes were found evenly distributed on the growth cones, neurites and cell bodies. Cytoskeletal associated receptors were found in these areas as well. The purification and identification of a soluble, extracellular protein of 37,000 molecular weight whose synthesis and accumulation is increased after injury of a rat sciatic nerve is described.
Research Organization:
Stanford Univ., CA (USA)
OSTI ID:
5177536
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English