Differential expression of Bcl-2-related proteins in differentiating NT2 cells

Although the role of Bcl-2-related proteins as regulators of the apoptotic process has been well documented, recent studies suggest that they might al so be implicated in neuronal differentiation. We have studied by immunocyto chemistry, Western blotting and RT-PCR the expression pattern of Bcl-x(L), Bcl-2 and BAX in the in vitro model of neuronal differentiation constituted by retinoic acid (RA)-treated NTera-2/D1 (NT2/D1) cells. Whereas BAX level did not change significantly during the RA treatment. Bcl-xL level increas ed markedly during the first week, before returning to basal level during t he second week. Bcl-2 expression, undetectable in undifferentiated cells, i ncreased progressively from the first week. From our results, we suggest th at, at least in our model, Bcl-2-related proteins might be involved in neur onal differentiation. NeuroReport 11:1421-1425 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.