The development of the cerebellum involves a set of coordinated cell
movements and two separate proliferation zones: the ventricular zone and
the external granule cell layer (EGL), a rhombic-lip-derived progenitor
pool . The EGL appears segregated during early cerebellum formation
and produces only granule cells. Cerebellar granule cells (CGC) are the
most abundant neurons in the brain . Their axons run as parallel
fibres along the coronal axis, and the one-dimensional spread of
excitation that results from this arrangement is a key assumption in
theories of cerebellar function. CGC receive inhibitory synaptic input
from Golgi cells, which are mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
During both in vivo and in vitro development, CGC depend on the activity
of the NMDA glutamate receptor subtype for survival and full
differentiation. Cultured CGC are widely used as a model system for
studying neuronal apoptosis.
RCGC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from postnatal
day 8 CD® IGS rat cerebellum. RCGC are cryopreserved as primary
cultures and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >1 x 10^6 cells in 1
ml volume. RCGC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies
specific to neurofilament, MAP2, and β-tubulin III. RCGC are negative
for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. RCGC are guaranteed to
further culture under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research
Laboratories; however, RCGC are not recommended for expanding or
long-term cultures since the cells do not proliferate in culture.
Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use Neuronal Medium (NM, Cat. #1521) for culturing RCGC in vitro.
