Increased levels of neuron-specific enolase in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells as a result of nerve growth factor treatment.

Treatment of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) resulted in increased levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Neither insulin, growth hormone, cytochrome c, nor sodium butyrate increased NSE levels. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) did increase NSE levels, although not to the same extent as NGF. As little as 1 ng/ml NGF induced the maximal increase in NSE. As PC12 cells increased in density, the NSE levels increased even in untreated cells.