Neurochemical Characteristics of a Novel Dorsal Root Ganglion X Neuroblastoma Hybrid Cell Line, F‐11

Abstract

We investigated the properties of the novel dorsal root ganglion (DRG) hybrid cell line F-11 to see how closely these cells resembled normal DRG cells. Under normal growth conditions, F-11 cells appeared to contain several short neurite-like processes. However, these cells could also be grown under conditions in which they showed a much more extensive neuronal morphology, exhibiting many long neurites. Several differentiated features of DRG cells were present on F-11 cells. These included the presence of δ5-opioid receptors, receptors for prostaglandins and brady-kinin, and dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels. F-11 cells also synthesized and released a substance P-Iike compound, as determined by immunoreactivity. Both the number of bradykinin receptors and the voltage-sensitive calcium influx increased on cell differentiation. Opioid agonists (δ-specificity) were found to decrease cyclic AMP levels in F-l 1 cells in a naloxone- and pertussis toxin-reversible fashion. Bradykinin stimulated the synthesis of inositol-1,4-bisphosphate and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate. Ca²⁺ channel agonists stimulated voltage-sensitive Ca²⁺ influx in a dose-dependent, stereospecific manner, whereas Ca²⁺ channel antagonists inhibited Ca²⁺ influx. F-ll cells should, therefore, prove useful as models for authentic DRG neurons.