2',3'-Cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) activity in cultured nerve cell lines from central nervous system: comparison of proliferating and resting growth states and cell cycle-dependent activity changes.

1. The present communication is concerned with the expression and cell cycle-dependent regulation of the enzyme 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) in cultured nerve cell lines derived from the rat central nervous system (CNS). 2. The enzyme activity was measured in relation to two reversible serum-controlled growth states (exponentially growing/quiescent) including a comparison of the enzyme activities in cell lines of neuronal and glial origin as well as in fibroblasts. CNPase is present in all cell types tested, but the enzyme activity is very sensitive to changes in the cellular growth state. Nerve cell lines in exponentially growing cultures express a 3 to 15 times higher specific CNPase activity than the nonneural cell types. In serum-starved quiescent cultures, the differences in specific enzyme activity between the nerve cell lines and the fibroblasts are enlarged even more up to a ratio of about 50 to 150, indicating a specific function of this enzyme within the central nervous system. 3. Neuron-like B104 cells could be stimulated to synchronized growth by serum readdition to quiescent cultures. A series of ordered activity changes of CNPase has been observed after the reinitiation of cell growth. The enzyme is stimulated at two particular stages during the cell cycle, leading to a biphasic activity profile. Maximum stimulation of CNPase correlates with the G1 phase. 4. Hydroxyurea-induced blockage of synchronized B104 cells to traverse the S phase also prevents the subsequent stimulation of CNPase activity. Therefore, we conclude that a correlation exists between the periodic activity changes of CNPase and particular phases of the B104 cell cycle.