Peroxisomes exist in growth cones and move anterogradely and retrogradely in neurites of PC12D cells

Localization and movement of peroxisomes have been investigated in neurites of a subline of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells (PC12D cells). The cells were transfected with a construct encoding the green fluorescent protein and bearing the C-terminal peroxisomal targeting signal 1 SKL motif (-Ser-Lys-Leu-COOH). Peroxisomes were detected as green punctate fluorescent signals. Many peroxisomes were observed in neurites of PC12D cells, especially in neural terminal-like structures, growth cones, varicosities, and branch points. Growth cones containing many peroxisomes were active, since they extended several long filopodias. Existence of peroxisomes in growth cones and neuronal terminal-like structures suggests that peroxisomes might have some role in neuronal extension and nerve terminal functioning. Peroxisomal motility was analyzed by time-lapse imaging using a fluorescence microscope at 25°C. Peroxisomes were transported bidirectionally in neurites, i.e., through anterograde and retrograde transport. This result suggests that peroxisomes move to growth cones and neural terminals from the PC12D cell body, play some role in these parts, and go back to cell body.