Studies in Cell Signaling

Norris, Bailey

Student Work

Studies in Cell Signaling

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The PLCꞵ1 pathway in the PC12 cell line is responsible for the production of calcium, which is used as a form of signaling between cells. This type of chemical communication between cells is made possible by long neurites that extend from the soma of one cell to the dendrites of another. When the gap of the synapse across which chemical signals must pass has been decreased, successful reception of said signals becomes much more feasible. If these neurites were made to retract away from other cells, signaling would become less viable and cellular growth rates would decline. To investigate a potential cause of neurite retraction, PC12 cells were subjected to 0.22M NaCl stress for either 3min or 6min. In half of the trials, the cells were provided with recovery time in ideal incubation conditions after the NaCl had been removed. Upon imaging using immunofluorescence microscopy, the most extreme instances of neurite retraction were observed from the 3min stress condition without a recovery period. Additionally, neurites were not perceived to be in a retracted state whenever they were given a recovery period following NaCl stress. Understanding more about neurite retraction is critical, since they are directly related to the pathway that plays a significant role in processes as paramount as memory and cognition.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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