Rapid filopodial sprouting induced by electrical stimulation in nerve terminals.

Direct electrical stimulation of terminals of neurite-like extensions of cultured chromaffin cells and neuronally differentiated PC12 cells induced rapid sprouting of filopodia in a Ca dependent manner. Repetitive stimulation could produce filopodia with greater ease. Their formation could not be significantly suppressed by treatment with cytoskeletal blocking agents. Filopodial sprouting was localized to the terminal region only. This response may occur at the growth cone in vivo playing a role in neuronal development.