Cocaine inhibition of neuronal differentiation in NGF-induced PC12 cells is independent of ras signaling

In utero exposure to cocaine may result in altered neuronal development. Our previous studies demonstrated cocaine inhibits neurite outgrowth in NGF-induced PC12 cells through dopamine, by activation of D₁ receptors. This study examined where cocaine interferes in the NGF signaling cascade. GSras1 cells that inducibly express activated forms of Ras upon treatment with dexamethasone were used. Morphological differentiation was quantified by counting cells bearing neurite-like processes after 72 h exposure to either dexamethasone or NGF alone, or with cocaine, dopamine or SKF-38393. Cocaine, dopamine, and the D₁ agonist inhibited neurite-like process outgrowth in both dexamethasone and NGF-induced GSras1 cells. GAP-43 expression, used as a measure for biochemical differentiation was severely diminished in NGF and dexamethasone-induced GSras1 cells treated with cocaine. These results suggest that cocaine, dopamine and activation of D₁ receptors affect the NGF signaling downstream, independent of ras expression, leading to altered neuronal differentiation.