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The PC12 cell line is a continuous rat cell line derived from an adrenal gland tumour (a pheochromocytoma). It is best known for responding reversibly to nerve growth factor (NGF) by taking on a neuron-like phenotype. It makes the catecholamines dopamine and norepinephrine, not epinephrine. Suppliers and databases agree on that identity but not on every number, including doubling time.
Definition and scope
PC12 (also written PC-12, PC 12 or PC12.1) is a cell line from Rattus norvegicus. The ATCC product sheet lists a male rat, adrenal gland tissue and a pheochromocytoma, “derived from a transplantable rat pheochromocytoma”, and Cellosaurus (entry CVCL_0481) classes it as a cancer cell line. The line was described by Greene and Tischler in 1976 as a clonal line that responds reversibly to NGF (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 73(7):2424-8, PMID 1065897).
What is a cell line? (cell line, cell lines, definition of cell line)
In general usage, a cell line is a defined population of cells grown and propagated repeatedly in vitro, so that the same cells can be used across many experiments. That differs from primary cells taken fresh from tissue. The THP-1 cell line guide sets out the general definition with its source, and the cell culture basics guide covers primary cells versus cell lines. PC12 is one specific, named cell line, so everything below applies to this line and not to cell lines in general.
How PC12 is used in practice
ATCC lists the following applications for PC-12 (catalogue number CRL-1721): 3D culture, high-throughput screening, neuroscience, toxicology and use as a transfection host. Its description of the culture is specific to this line:
- Morphology: small, irregular cells, grown as a mixed culture of floating round-cell aggregates and some attached cells.
- Medium (ATCC’s formulation): ATCC-formulated RPMI-1640 with 10% heat-inactivated horse serum and 5% fetal bovine serum, at 37 °C in 95% air and 5% CO2. For how RPMI-1640 compares with other base media, see DMEM vs RPMI.
- Doubling time: about 48 hours, according to ATCC.
- Neuronal phenotype: ATCC states the cells respond reversibly to NGF by induction of the neuronal phenotype, and notes this is on Collagen IV-coated flasks.
- Storage: ATCC gives vapor-phase liquid nitrogen and warns that storage at -70 °C loses viability.
ATCC also describes the cells as tumorigenic. Biosafety level and handling requirements should be taken from the supplier’s current product sheet and your institutional biosafety committee, not from a summary page.
Same line, different numbers: reported doubling times
Most overview pages give one doubling time for PC12. The sources do not agree, which matters when you plan seeding density or compare growth between labs.
| Source | Reported doubling time |
|---|---|
| Cellosaurus citing PubMed 9886495 | 40 hours |
| ATCC product sheet (CRL-1721) | about 48 hours |
| Cellosaurus citing DSMZ | about 50-60 hours |
| Cellosaurus citing CLS and ECACC | 92 hours |
The practical reading is that a published doubling time describes one supplier’s lot or one paper’s conditions. Record the figure from your own supplier’s sheet and your own observed growth.
Identity checklist: which PC12 do you have?
A name match is not an identity match. Cellosaurus lists many subclones and derivatives of PC12, for example PC12-C41, PC12 Tet-On and Tet-Off lines, and a line named PC-12 HD-Q74. These are different lines from the parental PC12. Cellosaurus also records the synonyms PC-12, PC 12 and PC12.1, and ATCC distinguishes CRL-1721 from CRL-1721.1.
- Record the exact supplier and catalogue number (for example CRL-1721, not just “PC12”).
- Record the Cellosaurus identifier, CVCL_0481 for the parental line.
- Record the passage number and whether any engineered subclone was used.
- Treat a subclone name in a paper as a separate line when reproducing the work.
These records support the authentication expectations described under authentication of key resources.
Why it matters when buying or inheriting vials
For a lab buying or inheriting PC12 vials, the points above determine what can be compared. Growth figures differ by source, the line is a mixed floating and attached culture, the NGF response is documented on coated flasks, and derivatives share the name. Routine contamination control applies as with any cultured line; see cell culture contamination.
Common misunderstandings
- “PC12 cells are neurons.” They are a tumour-derived line. NGF induces a neuron-like phenotype, and both ATCC and Cellosaurus describe that response as reversible.
- “They make all the catecholamines.” Greene and Tischler report that PC12 cells do not synthesize epinephrine; ATCC lists dopamine and norepinephrine.
- “One doubling time fits every vial.” See the table above.
- “Any PC12-named line is the same.” See the identity checklist.
FAQ
What is a cell line?
A defined population of cells that is grown and propagated repeatedly in vitro. The definition is covered in the THP-1 cell line guide.
What is the PC12 cell line?
A continuous rat cell line from an adrenal pheochromocytoma, listed by ATCC as CRL-1721 and by Cellosaurus as CVCL_0481.
What does NGF do to PC12 cells?
The cells respond reversibly to NGF by induction of a neuronal phenotype, per ATCC and Cellosaurus.
Is PC12 a neuronal cell line?
No, it is derived from an adrenal tumour. It can adopt a neuron-like phenotype under NGF, which is why it is used in neuroscience work.
Sources
- ATCC, PC-12 (CRL-1721): https://www.atcc.org/products/crl-1721 (checked 2026-10-29)
- Cellosaurus, PC12 (CVCL_0481): https://www.cellosaurus.org/CVCL_0481 (checked 2026-10-29)
- Greene LA, Tischler AS. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1976;73(7):2424-8. PMID 1065897, doi 10.1073/pnas.73.7.2424 (checked 2026-10-29)
