The undifferentiated and extended forms of C1300 murine neuroblastoma. An ultrastructural study and detection of concanavalin A binding sites on the plasma membrane.

Mouse neuroblastoma cells (clone neuro-2A) in the undifferentiated and "differentiated" form were compared by light and electron microscopy. "Cytodifferentiation" was induced in monolayer cultures by the addition of dibutyryl-cyclic AMP. The pattern of concanavalin A binding sites was studied after coupling with horseradish peroxidase. The following major differences were observed. The differentiated cells are characterized by numerous and long neurites, aggregation of ribosomes into polysomes, an extensive network of neurofilaments and microtubules, many dense-core neurosecretory-like vesicles, a discontinuous pattern of concanavalin A binding sites on the plasma membrane, and an increase of the specific activities of acetylcholinesterase, choline acetylase and tyrosine hydroxylase. In contrast, the undifferentiated cells grown in suspension culture lack neurites, contain dispersed ribosomes, infrequent neurofilaments and microtubules and dense-core neurosecretory-like vesicles, and exhibit a continuous pattern of concanavalin A binding sites. In addition, the specific activities of the above mentioned enzymes are significantly lower.