Immunocytochemical localization of beta-citryl-L-glutamate in primary neuronal cells and in the differentiation of P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells into neuronal cells.

The immunocytochemical localization of beta-citryl-L-glutamate (beta-CG) in primary neuronal cells and in the differentiation of P19 cells was examined. 1: Cells with the morphological features of neurons in the primary culture were specifically stained with the anti-beta-CG antibody both in neurites and in the cell body. 2: The neuronal cells differentiated from P19 cells were distinctly stained with the anti-beta-CG antibody both in neurites and in the cell body, while the non-neuronal cells were not. 3: The concentration of beta-CG was low in the P19 cells, but increased significantly with the differentiation of P19 cells into neurons. It was shown that beta-CG was localized exclusively in neurons. These findings suggest that beta-CG plays functional roles in the differentiation and growth of neuron.