Heterogeneity of NGF-induced differentiation in PC12 cells investigated in a battery of isolated cell clones.

The effect of NGF on a set of 17 PC12 cell clones was investigated in order to clarify some aspects concerning the changes in cell morphology and Ca2+ homeostasis that occur in the PC12 cell line after NGF-induced differentiation. The morphological parameters analyzed showed a high degree of heterogeneity among clones, consisting with a different expression of the high-affinity NGF receptor. The NGF effect on Ca2+ influx was investigated in a clone highly sensitive to the cholinergic agonist carbachol. Results showed an increase in Ca2+ influx through one of the carbachol-activated Ca2+ channels.