ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effect of human Slitrk1 gene on proliferation and differentiation of PC12 cells. Methods The CDS sequence of Slitrk1 was amplified by PCR, and then cloned into pcDNA4 vector. The recombinant plasmid pcDNA4/Slitrk1 were transfected into rat PC12 cells by lipofectamine. The stable expression cell clones were screened by RT-PCR. MTT method was used to detect the proliferation rate of PC12 cells. The morphologic changes in PC12 cells were observed microscopically. Results The stable cell lines expressing pcDNA4 (pcDNA4/PC12) and pcDNA4/Slitrk1 (ST1/PC12) were established. Compared to pcDNA4/PC12 cells, the growth rate of ST1/PC12 cells was decreased. In addition, pcDNA4/PC12 cells tend to grow as well as the normal PC12 cells. However, most of the ST1/PC12 cells adhered to the plate with one or two neurites. Conclusion Over-expression of human Slitrk1 gene inhibited the proliferation of PC12 cells and promoted the outgrowth of neurites. It is suggested that human Slitrk1 gene may be involved in differentiation of PC12 cells.