Characterization of nuclear T3 receptors in human neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y: effect of differentiation with sodium butyrate and nerve growth factor.

Nuclear receptors for the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) have been identified in vivo in brain tissues and in vitro in mouse and rat neuroblastoma and glioma cells. The present study characterizes nuclear T3 receptors in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and compares their level before and after differentiation. Undifferentiated cells, grown in DME/HAM F-12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, show an abundant single type of nuclear receptor, indicated by a straight Scatchard plot, with a Kd of 0.11 nmol/l. After treatment with sodium butyrate (0.5 mM for 4 days) or NGF (2 nM for 6 days), the cells showed neuronal-like patterns (extension of neurites, slowing of growth, increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity), with a decrease in the number of nuclear T3 receptors. As sodium butyrate and NGF treatments differentiate neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, these data suggest a down-regulation of T3 receptors with cell maturation.