Retinoic acid as a chemoattractant for cultured embryonic spinal cord neurons of the African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis

In this study, we investigated the effects of two retinoid isomers, all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) and 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cisRA), on cultured embryonic spi nal cord neurons of X. laevis. Both isomers significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth compared with the vehicle control. In addition, atRA induced growth cone turning, which was blocked with a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist, selective for the β receptor subtype. Immunostaining also revealed RAR immunoreactivity in the neurites and growth cones of these cells. Interestingly, the 9-cisRA isomer also induced significant growth cone turning and this response was inhibited by a retinoid X receptor (RXR) pan-antagonist. Overall, we have provided evidence for both trophic and chemotropic act ions of two naturally occurring retinoid isomers on Xenopus embryonic spinal cord neurons in culture.
Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology - Category: Zoology Authors: Source Type: research