EXPRESSION OF DYSTROPHIN DP71 DURING PC12 CELL-DIFFERENTIATION

The expression of dystrophin-protein 71 (Dp71) was investigated during nerve growth factor (NGF) induced differentiation of PC12 cells. A se mi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PC R) assay was designed to measure Dp71 mRNA, whereas the Dp71 protein a mount was evaluated by immunoblot analysis using an anti-dystrophin mo noclonal antibody. Comparison with control cultures showed that Dp71 m RNA and protein levels increased in parallel with NGF treatment peakin g with increments of 60% and 1.4 times, respectively. The upregulation of Dp71 expression during PC12 cells differentiation point at PC12 ce lls as a suitable model for studying the function of Dp71 in neuronal cells.