Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 7, 2305-2311, Copyright © 1987 by Society for Neuroscience
Recognition of specific targets by cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons
L Baizer and MC Fishman
We have assessed the effects of different target cell populations on
axonally transported proteins by the use of compartmental cell culture
systems that separate the soma from the growing axons of rat sensory
neurons. The labeling of 3 rapidly transported proteins diminishes when the
growing axon contacts spinal cord cells (which are normal in vivo targets),
and remains unaffected by contact with fibroblasts or heart cells. Medium
conditioned by spinal cord cells does not exert this effect. Thus, specific
classes of cells may be distinguished as target tissue by sensory neurons
in vitro. Such recognition is accompanied by specific molecular changes in
axonally transported proteins.