Glioma Hybrid NG108-15 Research Articles

Dissection of bradykinin-evoked responses by buffering intracellular Ca 2+ in neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells

Signal transduction pathways from bradykinin (BK) receptors were investigated in NG108-15 neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells by buffering the intracellular calcium (Ca 2+) with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane- N, N, N′, N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), a Ca 2+ chelator. BK increased inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P 3) formation at the same rate in the control and in BAPTA-acetoxy methyl ester (AM)-treated NG108-15 cells. However, a transient increase of intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations in response to BK was significantly suppressed in Ca 2+-buffered hybrid cells. Accordingly the BK-induced outward current was inhibited in BAPTA-AM-treated hybrid cells, while the subsequent inward current associated with a fall in membrane conductance was apparently increased. The initial phase of acetylcholine release from NG108-15 cells in response to BK was markedly inhibited in BAPTA-AM-treated coculture dishes when detected as miniature end-plate potentials of myotubes, though the late phase of acetylcholine secretion was observed. These results indicate that BK induces two distinct responses in NG108-15 cells: Ins(1,4,5)P 3-dependent intracellular Ca 2+ rise-sensitive and -insensitive components.

Possible existence of two subsets of platelet-activating factor receptor to mediate polyphosphoinositide breakdown and calcium influx in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG 108-15 cells.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) initiated polyphosphoinositide (polyPI) breakdown and a rise of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG 108-15 cells. The accumulation of [3H]inositol trisphosphate and [3H]inositol bisphosphate was evident within 15 s after PAF stimulation, peaked at 1 min, and then gradually decayed. The increase in [3H]inositol monophosphate level was observed at 30 s, plateaued in 5 min, and was sustained up to 10 min in the presence of 10 mM LiCl. On the other hand, the rise of [Ca2+]i evoked by PAF reached a peak within 8-12 s and returned to basal levels within 1 min as measured in fura 2-loaded cells. When cells were suspended in Ca(2+)-depleted medium, the PAF-induced [Ca2+]i rise was reduced by 80%, indicating that the increase of [Ca2+]i was predominantly due to the Ca2+ influx from an extracellular source. Both PAF-induced accumulation of 3H-labeled inositol phosphates and [Ca2+]i elevation were concentration dependent with EC50 values of approximately 1 x 10(-10) and 5 x 10(-8) M, respectively. The PAF analogs 1-O-hexadecyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycerol-3-phosphocholine were much poorer agonists at eliciting the same responses in these cells. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin caused a substantial inhibition of PAF-induced accumulation of 3H-inositol phosphates. In contrast, the rise in [Ca2+]i was not significantly affected by toxin treatment at the same concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Concurrent down-regulation of IP prostanoid receptors and the alpha-subunit of the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (Gs) during prolonged exposure of neuroblastoma x glioma cells to prostanoid agonists. Quantification and functional implications.

Neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells express a high-affinity IP prostanoid receptor. Saturation binding analysis of this receptor, using [3H]prostaglandin E1 ([3H]PGE1) as ligand, indicated that it was present at some 1.5 pmol/mg of membrane protein and displayed a dissociation constant for this ligand of 30-40 nM. Prolonged exposure of these cells either to PGE1 or to iloprost, which is a stable analogue of prostacyclin, caused a 40-70% decrease in levels of the receptor. The remaining receptors were capable of interacting with the stimulatory G-protein (Gs) of the adenylate cyclase cascade, as saturation analysis of the binding of [3H]PGE1 indicated that they had a similar affinity for the 3H-labelled ligand, and because the specific binding of [3H]PGE1 to these receptors was still sensitive to the presence of poorly hydrolysed analogues of GTP. We have recently demonstrated that prolonged exposure of NG108-15 ells to PGE1 causes a cyclic AMP-independent loss of Gs alpha-subunit (Gs alpha) from these cells [McKenzie & Milligan (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 17084-17093]. Steady-state concentration of the larger 45 kDa form of Gs alpha (which is the predominant form expressed in these cells) was assessed to be 9.6 pmol/mg of membrane protein, and treatment with iloprost decreased levels of this polypeptide to some 3.0 pmol/mg of protein. Time courses of iloprost-mediated down-regulation of the IP prostanoid receptor, loss of Gs alpha protein as assessed by immunoblotting and loss of Gs alpha activity as assessed by the reconstitution of NaF stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity to membranes of S49 cyc- cells by sodium cholate extracts of NG108-15 cells were identical, suggesting that the loss of the IP prostanoid receptor and G-protein occurred in parallel. Each of these effects was half-maximal between 2 and 3 h of exposure to the agonist. Stoichiometry of loss of Gs alpha and IP prostanoid receptor was unchanged by the percentage receptor occupancy, and quantification indicated the loss of some 7-10 mol of Gs alpha/mol of receptor. This is the first report to demonstrate the temporal concurrence of loss of Gs alpha and of a receptor which interacts with this G-protein. Chronic activation of the IP prostanoid receptor on these cells results in the development of a heterologous form of desensitization to agents which function to activate adenylate cyclase [Kelly, Keen, Nobbs & MacDermot (1990) Br. J. Pharmacol. 99, 306-316]. Agonist regulation of Gs alpha levels in these cells may contribute to this process.

Potassium channels cloned from neuroblastoma cells display slowly inactivating outward currents in Xenopus oocytes.

Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) specific for NGK1 and NGK2 potassium channels were synthesized from complementary DNAs (cDNAs) that had been cloned from mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells. Outward pottasium currents were evoked by 5 s depolarizing voltage commands in Xenopus oocytes injected with NGK1- or NGK2-specific mRNAs. The NGK1 or NGK2 currents showed different activation and inactivation kinetics, and different pharmacological sensitivities. The threshold potential for activation of the NGK2 current (-14 mV) was more positive than that for the NGK1 (-36 mV). The NGK2 current showed faster inactivation during a 5 s depolarizing pulse than did the NGK1 current. Inactivation was best fit by time constants of 0.37, 1.5 and 19 s for the NGK2 current and 4.4 and 19 s for NGK1. Extracellularly applied tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) was 1000 times more potent on the NGK2 current than the NGK1 current. Furthermore we examined outward current following co-injection of an equal amount of mRNAs for NGK1 and NGK2. The timecourse of inactivation differed from either alone or from a simple sum of the two individual currents. TEA sensitivity could not be explained by summation of the two homomultimeric channels. These findings suggest that both NGK1 and NGK2 proteins assemble to form heteromultimeric K+ channels in addition to homomultimeric K+ channels. NGK2 channels and the heteromultimeric channels may be responsible for the native transient outward current with slow inactivation in NG108-15 hybrid cells.

Bimodal distribution of phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase in NG108-15 cells. Modulation by the amphiphilic lipids oleic acid and sphingosine.

The properties and bimodal distribution of phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase (PAP) were investigated in neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells. Two PAP activities distinguished by their differential sensitivity to Mg2+ and Triton X-100 were identified in the cytosolic and microsomal fractions. A digitonin permeabilization method was employed to study the basal distribution of the cytosolic PAP and its redistribution upon cell exposure to amphiphilic lipids. Under conditions which release 100% of the cytosolic marker enzyme lactate dehydrogenase, only 60% of total cellular PAP activity was released into the medium through the digitonin-induced membrane pores, suggesting that about 40% of the total are membrane associated. Elevated plasma-membrane levels of phosphatidic acid, accomplished by incubating cells with Streptomyces chromofuscus phospholipase D, did not affect the distribution of cytosolic PAP. In contrast, oleic acid induced a marked concentration-dependent redistribution of the cytosolic enzyme to the particulate fraction. PAP redistribution was completely abolished in the presence of the sphingoid base sphingosine, previously shown to inhibit PAP activity in vitro (Lavie, Y., Piterman, O. & Liscovitch, M. (1990) FEBS Lett. 277, 7-10). Thus, the distribution of cytosolic PAP is reciprocally regulated by a long-chain (fatty) acid and a long-chain (sphingoid) base which are breakdown products of phospholipids and sphingolipids, respectively. These effects might influence PAP function in glycerolipid metabolism and signal transduction under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Genetical responses of neuronal cells to synaptic transmission

To understand the cellular mechanisms that lead to the generation of synaptic plasticity of neuronal cells, it is important to understand the intracellular responses of neuronal cells stimulated via synaptic transmission. The stimulation of mouse cerebellar granule cells via NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors caused an increase in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-binding activities to TRE (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-responsive element) and CRE (adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-responsive element) motifs, depending upon the presence of extracellular Ca2+. The increases in TRE- and CRE-binding activities were also detected with the stimulation of non-NMDA receptors by kainate. The increases in TRE- and CRE-binding activities were both mediated by the same DNA-binding complexes whose binding affinity to CRE was about three-fold higher than that to TRE. On the other hand, the stimulation of neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 via muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and bradykinin receptors caused a rapid induction of zif/268. An additive effect on the induction of zif/268 was observed when the different stimuli were simultaneously added. Thus, it is extremely likely that signals transduced via synaptic transmission are transferred to the level of gene expression and evoke some events which might contribute to the generation of synaptic plasticity in neuronal cells. In addition, we have found that the direct injection of plasmid DNAs into mouse skeletal muscle with fructose, glucose or NaCl solution led to a long-term expression of the introduced gene in muscle cells.

Accelerated communication 125I-β-endorphin binding to neuroblastoma x glioma NG108-15 cells: Distribution of δ opioid receptors

The mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid NG108-15 was previously shown to express δ opioid receptors. Because neuroblastoma cells display different phenotypes and cloned cell lines are heterogenous, we studied the characteristics and distribution of human 125I-β-endorphin ( 125I-βE) binding sites in cultures of NG108-15 cells with the use of micro-autoradiography and light microscopy. 125I-βE labeled δ sites in NG108-15 in the presence of the non-opioid blocking peptide, β-endorphine (6–31) (βE (6–31)). Silver grains resulting from 125I-βE binding to the opioid sites occurred in diffuse patches over several cells, with preferential location in dense cell patches. Pretreatment of NG108-15 with the δ agonist DADLE, previously shown to decrease βE binding to δ sites on intact cells, also reduced silver grain density; however, some cells located in dense cell clusters were resistant to substantial agonist induced loss of labeling. These results suggest that δ opioid binding has a heterogenous cellular distribution in NG108.

Cyanide sensitive and insensitive bioenergetics in a clonal neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cell line

The primary mechanism of cyanide (CN) intoxication is the inhibition of metabolism in the central nervous system. We determined the effects of CN on several biochemical processes in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells, which possess numerous neuronal properties. These cells were not sensitive to a high concentration (1 mM) of NaCN, but became sensitive in the presence of the anaerobic glycolysis inhibitors sodium iodoacetate (IA) and 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG):cellular metabolic processes (e.g., DNA, RNA and protein synthesis) decreased to about 40% of control due to treatment with 0.5 mM NaCN + 0.05 mM IA and 0.1 mM NaCN + 20 mM 2-DG. ATP in cells exposed to 0.01 or 0.1 mM NaCN + 20 mM 2-DG was reduced 75% and 100% respectively within one min. Pretreatment of cells with the CN antidote cobalt (II) chloride (CoCl2) (0.06-0.18 mM) for 5 min prevented the depression of both [3H]leucine incorporation and ATP synthesis due to 1 mM NaCN + 20 mM 2-DG in a concentration-dependent manner. A proposed CN antidote alpha-ketoglutaric acid (disodium salt) also prevented the depression of cellular metabolism due to NaCN plus 2-DG. These results indicate that blocking anaerobic glycolysis makes NG108-15 cells sensitive to a low concentration of CN. Thus NG108-15 cells should be useful to study the mechanisms of neurotoxicity of CN and to test antidotes.

Cholera toxin impairment of opioid-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells is due to a toxin-induced decrease in opioid receptor levels.

Cholera toxin treatment (up to 1 microgram/ml, 16 h) of neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells produced a decrease of some 35% in both delta opioid receptor-mediated stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity and inhibition of forskolin-amplified adenylate cyclase. Coincident with these decreases was a down-regulation of some 35% in the delta opioid receptor population. A similar pattern of a decrease in signalling capacity was noted for the alpha 2B-adrenergic receptor in these cells after cholera toxin treatment. Half-maximal effects of cholera toxin on all of the parameters assayed were noted at concentrations between 2 and 5 ng/ml. Neither levels of Gi2, as assessed by immunoblotting with specific antisera, nor the intrinsic activity of the alpha subunit of the guanine-nucleotide-binding protein which acts as the inhibitory G-protein of the adenylate cyclase in these cells, as assessed by guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (Gpp[NH]p)-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase, was lowered by cholera toxin treatment. Furthermore, levels of another pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein (Go) expressed by these cells was also not lowered by cholera toxin treatment. However, as previously noted in other cells [Milligan, Unson & Wakelam (1989) Biochem. J. 262, 643-649], marked down-regulation of the alpha subunit of the stimulatory G-protein (Gs) of the adenylate cyclase cascade was observed in response to cholera toxin treatment. Previous studies [Klee, Milligan, Simonds & Tocque (1985) Mol. Aspects Cell Regul. 4, 117-129] have shown that cholera toxin treatment can result in a decrease in the maximal effectiveness of agonists which function to inhibit adenylate cyclase. These data have been used as evidence to suggest a functional interaction between Gs and 'Gi'. The results provided herein demonstrate that such effects of the toxin can be explained adequately by a decrease in the number of receptors that function to produce inhibition of adenylate cyclase.

MPTP-induced ATP depletion and cell death in neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid NG 108-15 cells: Protection by glucose and sensitization by tetraphenylborate

The toxic effect of the Parkinsonism-producing neurotoxin MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) was investigated using a neuronal cell culture system, namely, neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid NG 108-15. The cells were able to metabolize MPTP into its active metabolite MPP + (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion) and to convert its derivative, 2′-methyl MPTP, to the corresponding pyridinium ion. Degenerative changes were observed in NG 108-15 cells when they were examined with a phase-contrast microscope following exposure to MPTP, MPP +, or 2′-methyl MPTP. These compounds also caused an increased leakage of LDH from the treated cells. An enhanced release of [ 14C]adenine nucleotides was observed from treated cells which were prelabeled with [ 14C]adenine. The cell death as indicated by the leakage of LDH and the release of adenine nucleotides was markedly reduced in the presence of a high concentration (25 m m) of glucose in the medium. MPTP and MPP + induced a drastic depletion in cell ATP content prior to cell death. The ATP depletion was also reduced by the presence of a high concentration of glucose. In contrast, tetraphenylborate, a lipophilic anion, highly potentiated the ATP depletion and the subsequent cell death induced by MPTP. Thus, ATP depletion could be a major factor in MPTP-induced neuronal cell death.

Comparison of solanaceous glycoalkaloids-evoked Ca 2+ influx in different types of cultured cells

The effects of the potato glycoalkaloids α-chaconine, α-solanine and tomatine on the intracellular free Ca 2+ concentration were studied in undifferentiated mouse neuroblastoma × rat glioma hybrid NG 108-15 cells, mouse-skin fibroblastoma L-929 cells and mouse Balb/3T3 cells by using the Ca 2+-sensitive fluorescent dye Fura-2. In all cultured cells treated with the alkaloids the intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations were raised in a dose-dependent manner. The Ca 2+ influx evoked by α-chaconine could not be prevented by metal ions or by inhibitors of Ca 2+ transport across membranes such as voltage-operated channel antagonists, muscarinic and nicotinic antagonists, or Na + and K + channel blockers. The concentrations of α-chaconine, α-solanine and tomatine that gave half-maximal response (ED 50) in NG 108-15 cells were 12.0, 72.0 and 1.8 μ m, respectively. ED 50 values in L-929 cells were 10.2 μ m for α-chaconine and 65 μ m for α-solanine and in Balb/3T3 cells the ED 50 values were 9.5 μ m for α-chaconine and 66 μ m for α-solanine. These findings support the hypothesis that the alkaloid-evoked Ca 2+ influx is caused by destabilization of the cell membrane and attribute a more important role to α-chaconine than α-solanine in potato poisoning. Fluorescence measurement of the free Ca 2+ concentration in the cytoplasm therefore represents a useful tool for the evaluation of pharmacological properties of potato alkaloids in vitro.

The α 2 B adrenergic receptor of undifferentiated neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells, interacts directly with the guanine nucleotide binding protein, G i2

In membranes of undifferentiated neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cell line NG108-15, the apparent specific binding of [ 3H]yohimbine measured in the presence of 1 μM noradrenaline, was increased substantially by the presence of the poorly hydrolysed analogue of QTP, guanylyl-imidodiphosphate (Gpp[NH]p) or by preincubation of membranes with antibodies against the C-terminal decapeptide of the α subunit of the G-protein G i2. Such an effect was not produced by antibodies against the equivalent region of G oα G i3α or G sα or from non-immune serum. By contrast, total specific binding of [ 3H]yohimbine was not modified by co-incubation with Gpp[NH]p or by preincubation with the antibodies from any of the anti-G protein antisera. These results demonstrate a direct interaction of the α 2B adrenergic receptor of NG108-15 cells with G i2.

Bradykinin-evoked acetylcholine release via inositol trisphosphate-dependent elevation in free calcium in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells.

The mechanism underlying the bradykinin (BK)-induced increase of acetylcholine (ACh) release was studied in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells and their synapses formed onto mouse muscle cells. External application of BK or iontophoretic injection of extrinsic inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) into the cytoplasm of NG108-15 cells produced membrane hyperpolarization in the hybrid cells and an increase in the frequency of miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs) in paired myotubes. Ba2+ blocked the hyperpolarization in response to BK, but facilitation of MEPPs was still observed. InsP3-dependent facilitation of MEPPs was also observed in cells where the InsP3 injections produced no detectable hyperpolarization or even depolarization. Real-time quantitative monitoring of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) with fura-2 in single NG108-15 cells showed that BK application or InsP3 injection induced an elevation of [Ca2+]i which coincided in time with membrane hyperpolarization recorded from the same cell. The [Ca2+]i rise produced by InsP3 injection started from the single site of injection and that produced by BK began from a deep compartment of the cytoplasm of the NG108-15 cells. The BK- and InsP3-evoked facilitation of MEPPs and the [Ca2+]i rise were relatively independent of extracellular Ca2+. These findings suggest that the BK-induced ACh release results not from membrane potential changes but from a transient InsP3-dependent elevation of [Ca2+]i.

Bradykinin induces inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate‐dependent hyperpolarization in K+ M‐current‐deficient hybrid NL308 cells: Comparison with NG108–15 neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells

External application of bradykinin (BK) to mouse neuroblastoma X mouse fibroblast hybrid NL308 cells and mouse neuroblastoma X rat glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells produced a transient outward (hyperpolarizing) current. In NG108-15 cells, BK also induced an inward (depolarizing) current associated with a decrease in input membrane conductance, which results from the inhibition of a voltage-sensitive potassium current, the M-current. However, in NL308 cells, either no depolarization was elicited by BK or, even if the BK-induced depolarization was evoked, it was associated with an increased conductance. To explain the above difference, the intracellular second messenger system of NL308 cells was examined in detail. BK induced the rapid accumulation (three- to fivefold higher than the control level) of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) in NL308 cells. The cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was also elevated to 540 nM from 180 nM at a basal level. This seems to be enough to activate a voltage-independent and Ca2(+)-sensitive K+ current, resulting in the hyperpolarization. Intracellular injection of InsP3 replicated the hyperpolarization. NL308 cells possess protein kinase C (C-kinase), with specific activities of C-kinase in cytosolic and membrane fractions being 233 and 24 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The activity associated with particulates became higher after phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) treatment. But NL308 cells did not show the characteristic inward relaxation by step hyperpolarizations and the outward rectification in the current-voltage relationship, indicating that the M current is deficient in NL308 cells. Therefore, application of PDBu failed to mimic the inward current. The results suggest the role of InsP3 and C-kinase in controlling two K+ currents.

Cholinergic synapse formation between NG108-15 and muscle cells and modulation of transmission

Mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells form cholinergic synapses with rat or mouse muscle cells in culture. The rate of synapse formation is greatly dependent on intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations. The synapse formation is lower in the presence of glia maturation factor, a partially purified brain extract. Once the synapse between NG108-15 cells and myotubes has been formed, this synapse is stable for days. Extracellular application of serotonin, PGF2 alpha, PGD2, neurotensin and bradykinin on NG108-15 cells increases synaptic transmission. Since bradykinin increases the level of intracellular inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), bradykinin-induced facilitation is due to InsP3-dependent elevation of intracellular Ca concentrations.

Evidence for a GTP-dependent increase in membrane permeability for calcium in NG108-15 microsomes

The effect of GTP on Ca 2+ uptake and release was studied in a microsomal fraction isolated from neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells. GTP did not alter the ATP-dependent initial uptake of Ca 2+ but markedly enhanced the efflux of Ca 2+ from microsomes. GTP-dependent Ca 2+ release requires the presence of millimolar concentration of Mg 2+. The effect of GTP was not mimicked by other nucleotides and was competitively blocked by the thiophosphate analogue of GTP, GTPγS but not by the non-hydrolyzable nucleotide GMP-PNP. Addition of an inhibiting concentration of GTPγS after completion of GTP-induced calcium release did not result in a re-uptake of Ca 2+, showing the irreversibility of the releasing effect of GTP. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis of Ca 2+-dependent GTP-induced opening of a channel responsible for vectorial transport of Ca 2+ ions from one intracellular compartment to another. A model is proposed suggesting that the GTP-binding protein is a GTP-specific diacylglycerol kinase.

The GTP‐Binding Proteins, Go and Gi2, of Neural Cloned Cells and Their Changes During Differentiation

The levels of the alpha-subunits of two GTP-binding proteins, Go and Gi2, were determined in neural and nonneural cloned cells by immunoassays. Go alpha was detected in all neural cells and some of nonneural cells, but not in HL-60 leukemic cells and PYS-2 teratocarcinoma-derived cells. The level of Go alpha was highest in the PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. Gi2 alpha was present in all types of cells tested, and its level was highest in the HL-60 cells and relatively high in glioma cells. Treatment of PC12 cells and neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells with nerve growth factor and forskolin, respectively, caused the extension of neuronal-like processes and increase in the level of Go alpha by 60-80%, but small changes in the levels of Gi2 alpha.

Modification of the indolamine content in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells upon induced differentiation.

1. The neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cell line has been widely studied as a neuronal model for its serotonergic, cholinergic, and peptidergic properties. 2. The catecholamine and serotonin content and that of their major metabolites have been determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC) in NG108-15 cells under differentiated and undifferentiated conditions. 3. Cellular contents of L-DOPA, norepinephrine, (NE), L-epinephrine (EPI), and dopamine (DA) in differentiated cells, induced by 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dBcAMP), are 149, 40, 129, and 124%, respectively, higher than those in undifferentiated cells. 4. 3,4-Dihydroxyphenethylacetic acid (DOPAC), the major metabolite of DA, is detectable only in differentiated cells. Similarly, DOPAC is present only in culture medium from differentiated cells, and not that of undifferentiated cells. 5. Serotonin (5-HT) is detectable only in undifferentiated cells; and the level of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the major metabolite of 5-HT, is also 12.7% higher is undifferentiated cells. 6. Comparative analyses of differentiated and undifferentiated cells in monolayer cultures and undifferentiated cells cultured in the presence of 1 mM dBcAMP under suspension conditions suggest that change in the indolamine content is due to cellular changes upon morphological differentiation. 7. The clonal NG108-15 cell line is also catecholaminergic, in addition to cholinergic and serotonergic; and a shift of neurotransmitter pattern from serotonin to dopamine production occurs during morphological differentiation.

Characterization of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on intact neuroblastoma � glioma NG108-15 cell upon induced differentiation

Studies have established that major increases in muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAchR) binding in the brain appear to coincide with synaptogenesis. The neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cell line has been demonstrated to possess numerous functional characteristics of intact neurons, including synapse formation with myotubes. The present study examines and characterizes the mAchR on the hybrid NG108-15 cells during differentiation, induced by 1 mM dBcAMP. Specific binding of [3H]-QNB for differentiated cells increases gradually to a final level of 130% (P less than 0.05) over the control undifferentiated cells during the first 24 hr of incubation. Further, this increase of receptor sites appears to correlate proportionately to the degree of neurite extension of the differentiating cells. The dissociation rate constant at equilibrium (Kd) and maximum binding capacity (Bmax) have been determined to be 5.6 nM and 920 fmol/10(6) cells, respectively, for differentiated cells, and 4.4 nM and 400 fmol/10(6) cells, respectively, for undifferentiated cells. Computer analyses of the data obtained from saturation experiments reveal a single class of binding sites for [3H]-QNB on both differentiated and undifferentiated cells. The Hill plot analysis of the QNB-binding indicates a Hill coefficient (nH) of 1.0 and 0.91 for differentiated and undifferentiated cells, respectively, suggesting the unity of receptor sites with no co-operativity. Our results depict that increases of mAchRs on intact cells correlate with the degree of cellular differentiation.

Mechanism of Agonist‐Induced Down‐Regulation and Subsequent Recovery of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in a Clonal Neuroblastoma X Glioma Hybrid Cell Line

The mechanisms of carbachol-induced muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) down-regulation, and recovery following carbachol withdrawal, were studied in the neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cell line by specific ligand binding assays. N-[3H]Methylscopolamine ([3H]NMS) and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) were used as the ligands for the cell surface and total cellular mAChRs, respectively. Exposure of cells to 1 mM carbachol for 16 h decreased the specific binding of [3H]NMS and [3H]QNB by approximately 80%. Bacitracin (1-4 mg/ml) and methylamine (1-15 mM), inhibitors of transglutaminase and of endocytosis, prevented agonist-induced loss of surface mAChRs. Pretreatment of cells with the antimicrotubular agents nocodazole (0.1-10 microM) and colchicine (1-10 microM) prevented carbachol-induced loss of [3H]QNB binding, but not that of [3H]NMS binding. These results indicate that agonist-induced mAChR down-regulation occurs by endocytosis, followed by microtubular transport of receptors to their intracellular degradation sites. When carbachol was withdrawn from the culture medium following treatment of cells for 16 h, receptors recovered and were incorporated to the surface membrane. This recovery process was antagonized by monovalent ionophores monensin (0.1 microM) and nigericin (40 nM), which interfere with Golgi complex function. Receptor recovery was also prevented by the antimicrotubular agent nocodazole. Thus, recovery of receptors appears to be mediated via Golgi complex and microtubular transport to the surface membrane.