EXPRESSION OF HUD PROTEIN IS ESSENTIAL FOR INITIAL PHASE OF NEURONAL DIFFERENTIATION IN RAT PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA PC12 CELLS

HuD is a neuronal-specific, RNA-binding protein. Here we examined the change in the expression of HuD protein during nerve growth factor-med iated differentiation of PC12 cells. As cells differentiated and exten ded neurites, expression of HuD gradually increased up to 1.5-fold, Wh en HuD expression was counteracted by antisense oligonucleotide, neuri te extension was completely inhibited, yet the morphology of different iated cells remained unchanged even after that treatment. Furthermore, this morphological change correlated well with the downregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 activity. These results suggest that the HuD is critically involved in the initial phase of neuronal differentiati on. (C) 1998 Academic Press.