SERUM GROWTH-FACTOR REGULATION OF THE PAIRED-BOX TRANSCRIPTION FACTORPAX-3 IN NEURONAL CELLS

Mutations in the murine Pax (paired-box)-3 gene results in a number of developmental abnormalities including a deficiency in sensory neurons . To determine the role that Pax-3 plays in neuronal cell development, we have studied the expression of Pax-3 in the ND7 neuronal cell line . Upon serum starvation, Pax-3 mRNA expression fell rapidly. Within 2 h of the removal of serum a 2-3-fold decrease in Pax-3 expression was observed and by 6 h Pax-3 mRNA expression was undetectable. Interestin gly this decrease in Pax-3 expression could be reversed by the additio n of serum growth factors. This rise in Pax-3 expression upon growth f actor addition, was followed by an increase in cell proliferation and a reduction in neurite outgrowth, suggesting that Pax-3 may play a rol e in mediating cellular responses to these factors in neuronal cells. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.