[Effect of triiodothyronine on the expression of neuron-specific enolase activity in developing cultured human fetal cerebral neurons].

Culture of human fetal cerebral neurons in serum-free medium was established. The enolase isoenzymes in the cultured neurons were fractionated by DEAE cellulose ion exchange chromatography. The total enolase activity was resolved into three peaks: Non-neuronal enolase (NNE or alpha alpha and alpha gamma) appeared in 10-day cultures, and the peak of neuron -specific enolase (NSE or gamma gamma) in the group added T3 appeared earlier (in 15-day cultures) than in the control group (20-day cultures). The percentage of gamma gamma enolase activity in the group added T3 was 2.55 times higher than that in the control group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that T3 in physiological concentration may promote the differentiation and maturation of neurons in cultures, verifying the expression of NSE and the switch-over of NNE (alpha alpha, alpha gamma) to NSE (gamma gamma).