Adhesive membrane protein of rat brain enhances neurite outgrowth of neuroblastoma cells.

A protein that stimulates neurite outgrowth of neuroblastoma cells has been solubilized with octyl glucoside from cell membranes of young rat brain. Neuroblastoma cells from clones N 18 and NIE 115 adhere and rapidly extend neurite-like processes when cells suspended in a serum-free medium are added to polystyrene wells coated with the protein. The activity of the solubilized substance is comparable to that of fibronectin and laminin. The following characteristics of the active substance are described: 1. The activity can be solubilized from membrane pellets with octyl glucoside but not with low or high salt. 2. The activity is destroyed by heating and by protease treatment. 3. The activity binds, at least partially, to gelatin. 4. Polyclonal antibodies to fibronectin or laminin do not inhibit the neurite-promoting effect of the solubilized substance. 5. Analysis of the octyl glucoside-solubilized active fractions with sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis does not detect any fibronectin or laminin, but the activity correlates to the occurrence of a 52 kilodalton protein on the gels. We discuss the possible biological role of the 52 kilodalton protein in the differentiation of central neurons and its relationship to other adhesive proteins, especially fibronectin, laminin and spreading factors.