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Activin is a nerve cell survival molecule

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Abstract

THE structures of five neurotrophic molecules have so far been published. Nerve growth factor1, fibroblast growth factor2, 3 and purpurin4, have been identified as nerve-cell survival molecules. More recently, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor have been cloned and sequenced5, 6. As all these proteins stimulate the survival of ciliary or sensory neurons, a new cell survival assay is required if novel neurotrophic molecules are to be discovered. P19 teratoma cells differentiate to nerve-like cells in the presence of 5 x 107 M retinoic acid (RA)7, 8. But when P19 cells are plated in N2 synthetic medium9 without being exposed to RA, they die within 48 h. In an attempt to identify a molecule(s) that can substitute for RA in promoting P19 survival, we assayed serum-free growth-conditioned media for their ability to promote P19 survival. One cell line from the rat eye secreted a molecule that promoted the survival of P19 cells and some types of nerve cell. We identified this molecule as activin, better known for its role in hormone secretion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Salk Institute, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA

    D. Schubert, H. Kimura, M. LaCorbiere, J. Vaughan, D. Karr & W. H. Fischer

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  1. D. Schubert
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  2. H. Kimura
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  3. M. LaCorbiere
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  4. J. Vaughan
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  5. D. Karr
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  6. W. H. Fischer
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Schubert, D., Kimura, H., LaCorbiere, M. et al. Activin is a nerve cell survival molecule. Nature 344, 868–870 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/344868a0

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