Regulated Galactolipid Synthesis and Cell Surface Expression in Schwann Cell Line D6P2T

Abstract

Clonal cell line D6P2T, subcloned from an ethylnitrosourea‐induced tumor line D6 of the rat peripheral nervous system, has been characterized with particular attention to galactolipid metabolism. Galactosylcerebroside and sulfatide synthesis and expression on the cell surface are highly regulated in D6P2T cells by mechanisms involving serum‐and cyclic AMP‐mediated pathways. These cells also express 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphohydrolase (Wolfgram protein Wla) and laminin. In contrast, myelin basic protein and antigen HNK‐1 were not detected. Line D6P2T appears to be a semi‐differentiated Schwann cell model, which offers interesting possibilities for studies of galactolipid synthesis, transport, and sorting.