Abstract
Pathfinding by growing nerve processes in the developing nervous system depends on the turning response of the growth cone to extracellular guidance cues. Embryonic spinal neurons were prepared from 1-day-old Xenopus embryos. After 4 h incubation, a repetitive pulse application was used to produce microscopic chemical gradients near the growth cone. A micropipette containing the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) or phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, produced a significant growth cone turning response. A micropipette containing adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) also induced growth cone turning towards the pipette tip. H-7, a PKC inhibitor, inhibited the ATP-induced turning response of the growth cone. Our results suggest that the activation of PKC in developing motoneurons may induce the turning response of growth cones.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine / pharmacology
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Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
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Animals
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Calcium Channels / drug effects
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Calcium Channels / metabolism
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Cells, Cultured
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Enzyme Activation / drug effects
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Enzyme Activation / physiology
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Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
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Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
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Isoenzymes / metabolism*
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Neurons / physiology*
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Neurons / ultrastructure
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Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate / pharmacology
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Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors
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Protein Kinase C / metabolism*
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Purinergic Antagonists
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Spinal Cord / cytology
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Spinal Cord / drug effects
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Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
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Xenopus
Substances
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Calcium Channels
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Enzyme Inhibitors
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Isoenzymes
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Purinergic Antagonists
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Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate
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1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine
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Adenosine Triphosphate
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Protein Kinase C
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Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate