The human neuroblastoma cell line IMR32 produces and secretes substantial amounts of TRH-immunoreactivity (TRH-IR) as measured with radioimmunoassay (RIA) using the nonspecific antiserum 4319. It was found that synthesis of TRH-IR is dependent on neural differentiation: under serum-free conditions these cells exhibit neural characteristics as defined by morphological and biochemical standards. After culture for 2–5 days in serum-free medium cells grew large neural processes and expressed neuron-specific markers whereas glial-specific markers were absent. TRH-IR became detectable after 4–8 days serum-free conditions. Northern blot and chromatographic analysis, however, failed to detect proTRH mRNA and authentic TRH in these cells. Moreover, TRH-IR was undetectable in the RIA using TRH-specific antiserum 8880. TRH-IR produced by differentiated cells was retained on a QAE Sephadex A-25 anion-exchange column and thus negatively charged. HPLC analysis showed coelution with the synthetic peptide pGlu-Glu-ProNH2. Study of the mechanisms regulating production of this novel peptide in these cells should further elucidate the role differentation plays in the synthesis of neuropeptides.

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doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(94)91346-3, hdl.handle.net/1765/61149
Brain Research
Department of Reproduction and Development

Rondeel, J., Klootwijk, W., Linkels, E., de Greef, W., & Visser, T. (1994). Neural differentiation of the human neuroblastoma cell line IMR32 induces production of a thyrotropin-releasing hormone-like peptide. Brain Research, 665(2), 262–268. doi:10.1016/0006-8993(94)91346-3