Expression of CD38 in Human Neuroblastoma Sh-SY5Y Cells

• Published in: International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 97 - 105
• Main Authors: Orciani, M., Trubiani, O., Cavaletti, G., Guarnieri, S., Salvolini, E., Tredici, G., Di Primio, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2008
• Subjects: ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 - analysis; ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 - genetics; ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 - physiology; Cell Line, Tumor; Humans; Membrane Glycoproteins - analysis; Membrane Glycoproteins - genetics; Membrane Glycoproteins - physiology; Neuroblastoma - chemistry; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Tretinoin - pharmacology; CD38; all-trans-retinoic acid; Neuroblastoma; Cajal Body
• ISSN: 0394-6320; 2058-7384
• DOI: 10.1177/039463200802100111

Human CD38 antigen is a 42–45 kDa type II transmembrane glycoprotein with a short N-terminal cytoplasmic domain and a long C-terminal extracellular region. It is widely expressed in different cell types including thymocytes, activated T cells, and terminally differentiated B cells (plasma cells) and it is involved in cellular proliferation and adhesion. CD38 acts as an ectocyclase that converts NAD+ to the Ca2+-releasing second messenger cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR). It has been also demonstrated that increased extracellular levels of NAD+ and cADPR are involved in inflammatory diseases and in cellular damage, such as ischemia. In the present study, we have characterized the expression of CD38 in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment was used to induce cell differentiation. Our results indicate that: a) even if SH-SY5Y cells have a negative phenotype express CD38 at nuclear level, ATRA treatment does not influence this pattern; b) CD38 localizing to the nucleus may co-localize with p80-coilin positive nuclear-coiled bodies; c) purified nuclei, by Western blot determinations using anti-CD38 antibodies, display a band with a molecular mass of −42 kDa; d) SH-SY5Y cells show nuclear ADP-ribosyl cyclase due to CD38 activity; e) the basal level of CD38 mRNA shows a time-dependent increase after treatment with ATRA. These results suggest that the presence of constitutive fully functional CD38 in the SH-SY5Y nucleus has some important implications for intracellular generation of cADP-ribose and subsequent nucleoplasmic calcium release.