CELL-LINES EXPRESSING AN ACETYLCHOLINE-RELEASE MECHANISM - CORRECTIONOF A RELEASE-DEFICIENT CELL BY MEDIATOPHORE TRANSFECTION

Several neuronal and non-neuronal cell lines express a Ca2+-dependent mechanism of transmitter release that can be demonstrated after loadin g the cells with acetylcholine during culture. In contrast, a particul ar cell line, the neuroblastoma N18TG-2, was found to be deficient for release. We transfected N18TG-2 cells with a plasmid encoding Torpedo mediatophore, a protein able to translocate acetylcholine in response to calcium, The N18TG-2 cells expressed the Torpedo protein which rea ched their plasma membrane. At the same time, these cells acquired a C a2+-dependent quantal release mechanism similar to the one naturally e xpressed by other cell lines. Hence, the presence of mediatophore in t he plasma membrane seems essential for quantal release. (C) 1996 Wiley -Liss, Inc.