Induction of neurite outgrowth from chick embryonic ganglia explants by activators of protein kinase C.

Neurite outgrowth from chick embryonic sensory ganglia explants was induced by activators of protein kinase C and other compounds known to stimulate the hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids. The addition of diacylglycerols, phospholipase C and muscarine chloride to a defined growth medium promoted the outgrowth of dense neurites from ganglia explants which were morphologically distinct from those induced by the phorbol ester TPA. Moreover, these neurite-promoting agents did not enhance non-neuronal cell proliferation and were ineffective in the absence of insulin and/or progesterone.