A reduced rate of bulky DNA adduct removal is coincident with differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells induced by nerve growth factor.

Human SY5Y neuroblastoma cells which were differentiated in culture by treatment with 7S murine nerve growth factor for 5 weeks and selection with aphidicolin (L. Jensen, Dev. Biol. 120:56-64, 1987) demonstrated a considerably slower rate of removal of DNA adducts of benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]pyrenediolepoxide, and N7-methylguanine than did undifferentiated mitotic cells. A dramatic decline in unscheduled DNA synthesis induced by UV radiation was similarly observed. DNA polymerase beta and uracil DNA glycosylase were unchanged after differentiation, DNA polymerase alpha and DNA methylase decreased roughly threefold, and total apurinic-apyrimidinic endonuclease activity increased roughly threefold after treatment.