Differentiation and apoptosis of murine neuroblastoma cells N1E115.

The mode and the kinetics of differentiation and death of murine N1E115 neuroblastoma cells induced by dimethyl sulfoxide and other nonspecific factors in vitro were investigated. After morphological differentiation neuroblastoma cells die by apoptosis which is indicated by characteristic morphological features and by internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Durations of both differentiation and apoptosis are dependent on the nature of stimuli used. Protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide does not prevent differentiation and apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells induced by dimethyl sulfoxide and even accelerates both processes. The relationship between cell death and differentiation is discussed.