Objective To investigate the
cholinergic neuron properties and the changes of proliferation and apoptosis of PC 12
cell induced by different concentrations of
all trans retinoic acid(RA). Methods PC 12 cell was induced by RA of concentrations of 1-50 μmol/L. Changes of cell growth curve and cycle, apoptosis and changes of activities of acetylcholinesterase(AchE) and choline acyltransferase(ChAT) were detected by MTT assay, flow cytometry, TUNEL method, spectrophotometry and radiochemistry assay, respectively. Results ① RA significantly enhanced the activity of ChAT with concentrations between 1 to 20 μmol/L. The activity of ChAT with concentration of 10 μmol/L was higher than those with other concentrations. ② The apoptosis of RA induced PC 12 cells was markedly enhanced when concentration was higher than 10 μmol/L. ③ A concentration dependent inhibition of proliferation was demonstrated in the RA induced PC 12 cells. ④ PC 12 cells proliferation was blocked in the G 1→S phase. Conclusion RA can be used to induce PC 12 cells to show the properties of
cholinergic neuron with an optimal concentration of 10 μmol/L.