Neural Precursor Cell-Based Screening & Bioassay Kit Principle

The Neural Precursor Cell-Based Screening & Bioassay Kit (Catalog # SC014) contains microplates, media supplements and functional assays specifically designed to study the actions of toxins and stimulants on neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation.

Assess Effects on Proliferation: Kits contain two uncoated 96-well microplates and Maintenance Media Supplement to promote neural stem cell proliferation. Following application of toxin/stimulant, proliferation is assessed using the redox-sensitive dye Resazurin.

Assess Effects on Differentiation: Kits contain two 96-well microplates coated with Poly-L-Ornithine and Fibronectin, and Differentiation Media Supplement to promote neural stem cell differentiation. Following application of toxin/stimulant, differentiation is assessed by cell-based ELISA for neuron-specific beta-III tubulin expression.

Effect of 18 alpha GA on neural precursor proliferation. The gap junctional inhibitor, 18 alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid (18 alpha GA), has been shown to decrease proliferation of neural precursors. Rat cortical stem cells (R&D Systems, Catalog # NSC001) were seeded at 2.5 x 10⁴ cells/well and grown in the presence of the indicated concentrations of 18 alpha GA. Cell numbers were determined using Resazurin. Error bars represent the standard deviation of triplicate samples.

Effect of EtOH on neuronal differentiation of neural precursor cells. EtOH has been shown to reduce levels of neuronal differentiation of neural precursor cells. Rat cortical stem cells (R&D Systems, Catalog # NSC001) were seeded at 5.0 x 10⁴ cells/well and differentiated in the presence of the above indicated amounts of EtOH. Levels of neuronal differentiation were determined by assessing beta-III Tubulin levels and cells were stained with DAPI as a relative measure of total cell number. Error bars represent the standard deviation of triplicate or duplicate samples.