Human Neuroblastoma Cell Culture: Effect of 5-Bromodeoxyuridine on Morphological Differentiation and Levels of Neural Enzymes

Abstract

5-Bromodeoxyuridine (5-BrdU) caused morphological “differentiation” of human neuroblastoma cells in culture, as shown by the formation of long neurites. This clone had a high level of choline acetyltransferase (ChA), however, 5-BrdU treatment allowed the expression of TH and COMT without any change in the cyclic AMP level. The addition of an equimolar of thymidine together with 5-BrdU did not reduce the BrdU-effects on morphological differentiation and TH level. The ChA activity decreased in BrdU-treated cells. This study indicates that the ChA and TH activities can be expressed in the same neuron.