Calcium currents of neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells after cultivation with dibutyryl cyclic AMP and nickel

Slow sulfide donor GYY4137 differentiates NG108-15 neuronal cells through different intracellular transporters than dbcAMP

Cellular differentiation is the process, by which a cell changes from one cell type to another, preferentially to the more specialized one. Calcium fluxes play an important role in this action. Differentiated NG108-15 or PC12 cells serve as models for studying neuronal pathways. NG108-15 cell line is a reliable model of cholinergic neuronal cells. These cells differentiate to a neuronal phenotype due to the dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) treatment. We have shown that a slow sulfide donor - GYY4137 - can also act as a differentiating factor in NG108-15 cell line. Calcium is an unavoidable ion required in NG108-15 cell differentiation by both, dbcAMP and GYY4137, since cultivation in EGTA completely prevented differentiation of these cells. In this work we focused primarily on the role of reticular calcium in the process of NG108-15 cell differentiation. We have found that dbcAMP and also GYY4137 decreased reticular calcium concentration by different mechanisms. GYY4137 caused a rapid decrease in type 2 sarco/endoplasmic calcium ATPase (SERCA2) mRNA and protein, which results in lower calcium levels in the endoplasmic reticulum compared to the control, untreated group. The dbcAMP revealed rapid increase in expression of the type 3 IP3 receptor, which participates in a calcium clearance from the endoplasmic reticulum. These results point to the important role of reticular calcium in a NG108-15 cell differentiation.

Changes of calcium channel mRNA, protein and current in NG108-15 cells after cell differentiation

Based on the characteristics of differentiated NG108-15 cells (cell membrane excitability, acetylcholine release, and activities of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase), NG108-15 cells are extensively used to explore neuronal functions as a cholinergic cell line. In the present study, differentiation-induced alterations of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel mRNA, protein, and current were investigated in the NG108-15 cells. Real-time PCR, Western blot, and whole-cell patch-clamp data showed that differentiation caused mRNA, protein, and ion current changes of all Ca(2+) channel subunits. However, the changes of mRNA, protein, and ion current are inconsistent in all Ca(2+) channel subunits. Especially, P/Q- and R-type Ca(2+) channel proteins do not form the functional P/Q- and R-type Ca(2+) channels even if the mRNA and protein of P/Q- and R-type Ca(2+) channels can be detected in NG108-15 cells. These results indicate that differentiation can modulate gene transcription, protein translation, and post-translation of the Ca(2+) channels to induce the alteration of the Ca(2+) ion currents in NG108-15 cells. From these data, we understand that combining real-time PCR, Western blot, and patch-clamp techniques can comprehensively unveil the modulation of the Ca(2+) channels.

Regulation of mouse delta-opioid receptor gene transcription: involvement of the transcription factors AP-1 and AP-2

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the phorbol ester O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and forskolin on delta-opioid receptor gene transcription. Treatment of NG108-15 cells with TPA (100 nM) for 48 h increased delta-opioid receptor mRNA levels, whereas different concentrations of forskolin induced a transient down-regulation of mRNA 5 h after treatment, followed by increased mRNA levels after 48 h. Reporter gene assays in transiently transfected NG108-15 cells in combination with electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicate that the increase of delta-opioid receptor mRNA after stimulation with TPA is mediated by transcription factor AP-1, which binds 355 bp upstream of the start codon within the gene promoter. The forskolin-induced mRNA increase is mediated neither by a cyclic AMP-response element nor indirectly by AP-1 up-regulation. Reporter gene assays, mutational analysis, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that delta-opioid receptor gene regulation by forskolin is mediated by transcription factor AP-2, which binds to an element 157 bp upstream of the start codon.

A simple, low-cost and fast Peltier thermoregulation set-up for electrophysiology

Most of the parameters recorded in electrophysiology are strongly temperature dependent. In order to control temperature fluctuations we have built a system that ensures an accurate thermoregulation of the recording chamber. Temperature of physiological preparations can be changed relatively quickly (about 8 degrees C/min) and with a good accuracy (+/- 0.5 degrees C) without inducing thermal oscillations. Contrary to other thermoregulating devices, the temperature regulation is not carried out through the perfused medium but directly at the bottom of the chamber where a 3-cm2 Peltier element has been placed. The element is driven by a dedicated electronic device which controls the amount and the direction of the current flowing across the Peltier thermocouple. All construction details and the appropriate electrical circuits are provided. Using this home-made device, the steady-state chamber temperature could be precisely monitored with a resolution of +/- 0.1 degrees C in a range of 0-40 degrees C. This set-up was tested in experiments designed to evaluate the temperature dependence of synaptic transmission in the Torpedo nerve electroplate synapses and of calcium currents recorded from isolated nerve cells. This low-cost method is suitable for a wide range of applications.

Identification of L-type calcium channels associated with kappa opioid receptors in human placenta

Transduction pathways of kappa receptor activation are not fully understood. Human placenta at term expresses only this type of opioid receptors and therefore offers a unique advantage for such investigations. It has previously been postulated that kappa receptors-mediated modulation of acetylcholine and placental lactogen release from human placentas require the influx of extracellular calcium and into the cells, possibly via voltage-dependent channels. We report here that another opioid-regulated placental function, the release of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), depends on extracellular calcium and the modality of its influx via L-type channels. Data presented demonstrated that the stimulation of hCG secretion by the kappa-selective agonist U69,593 was abolished in presence of either EGTA or the calcium channel blocker nifedipine. Results obtained on the combined effect of opioids and dihydropyridines indicated that placental kappa opioid receptors could be directly coupled to L-type calcium channels. The identification of the latter in villus membrane preparations, reported here for the first time, further contributes to the hypothesis that, in human placenta, kappa receptors-linked transduction mechanisms involve calcium and its conductance across villus membranes.

Regulation of stimulatory adenylyl cyclase signaling during forskolin-induced differentiation of mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma (NG108-15) cells

Chronic exposure of neuroblastoma x glioma (NG108-15) cells to substances that elevate intracellular cAMP levels results in morphological differentiation into a more neuronal-like phenotype. Here we report that forskolin-induced differentiation is accompanied by a biphasic regulation of stimulatory adenylyl cyclase (AC) signaling. While 1 day of forskolin exposure produces an initial increase in basal, [AIF4](-)-, and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-stimulated AC activities, stimulatory signal transduction is substantially reduced after complete differentiation of the cells (6 days). Western blot analysis revealed that these functional changes correlate well with changes in the quantity of G(s)alpha, the stimulatory component of AC. Additional forskolin-induced adaptations were found for PGE1 receptors, inhibitory G proteins and AC. These data demonstrate that neuronal differentiation of NG108-15 cells is associated with complex regulatory changes within the stimulatory PGE1 receptor system.

Constitutive upregulation of calcium channel currents in rat phaeochromocytoma cells: role of c-fos and c-jun

1. Northern blot analysis and cell transfection were used in conjunction with whole-cell current recordings to examine the involvement of the immediate early genes, c-fos and c-jun, in the expression of calcium channel currents. 2. Phaeochromocytoma cells (PC12 clone) were exposed to nerve growth factor (NGF) and to depolarizing concentrations of KCl for 60 min every day. Cells challenged with NGF developed extensive networks of neurites within 3 days. Cells depolarized periodically retained their undifferentiated morphology even after 5 days of treatment. 3. The maximal amplitude of high-voltage-activated calcium currents (ICa) increased from the control level of 117.8 +/- 48.3 (mean +/- S.D.) to 387.2 +/- 90.1 pA within 3 days of NGF treatment. omega-Conotoxin (5-10 microM) inhibited 24.6 +/- 8.5% of ICa in undifferentiated cells and 57.8 +/- 6.9% in NGF-treated cells. 4. The levels of c-fos and c-jun mRNAs increased transiently during each daily exposure to NGF. The level of c-fos mRNA also increased transiently during repeated KCl-induced depolarizations but c-jun mRNA remained low or absent. 5. Naive PC12 cells were transiently co-transfected with expression plasmids that contained the full length of c-fos and c-jun cDNA. After 2 days following transfection, the PC12 cells could be grouped according to the size of ICa. In 56% of cells, ICa was similar to control currents (106.1 +/- 37.4 pA). In the remaining 44% of cells, ICa showed a 2.2-fold enhancement with respect to control cells. Transfection of only c-fos had no effect on ICa but, in 24% of cells transfected with c-jun, ICa was 176.6 +/- 124.6 pA. Since periodic membrane depolarization induced c-fos but not c-jun mRNA, c-jun transfection was combined with a high-K+ treatment over 3 days. In 18% of treated cells, ICa was 3.7 times larger than control currents. Morphological differentiation was not observed in transfected cells. 6. In PC12 cells co-transfected with c-fos and c-jun or treated with high K+ after transfection of c-jun, omega-conotoxin (5-10 microM) inhibited 68.7 +/- 11.9% of ICa when the current amplitude was in the range of 200-600 pA. since similar concentrations of omega-conotoxin blocked 19.2 +/- 5.4% of ICa in control cells, the current increase induced by c-fos and c-jun was supported by up to 11-fold enhancement of the omega-conotoxin-sensitive component of ICa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acetylcholine accumulation and release by hybrid NG108-15, glioma and neuroblastoma cells--role of a 16kDa membrane protein in release

A procedure is described to fill up cells in culture with ACh and study its calcium dependent release, by-passing the synthesis steps. Whether differentiated or not with dbc-AMP, the NG108-15 cells efficiently released ACh when stimulated with calcium and ionophore A23187. The release was also studied in the parent C6-BU-1 and N18TG2 cells. It was found that C6-BU-1 released ACh much better that N18TG2 in spite of their glial origin. The internalization by NG108-15 cells of an antisense oligonucleotide probe hybridizing the 16 kDa proteolipid messenger common to mediatophore and to the V-ATPase reduced ACh release indicated a role of this proteolipid in ACh translocation. This characteristic protein was found in the membrane extract of NG108-15 cells and also in the C6-BU-1 cells, but its amount was strongly reduced in the N18TG2 cell line and in the NG108-15 cells having internalized the antisense probe.

Comparative electrophysiological properties of NG108-15 cells in serum-containing and serum-free media

The electrophysiological properties of NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrids were compared after culture in serum-containing medium (SCM) versus serum-free media (SFM) containing N2 or B27 supplements. The excitability of cells was media dependent (B27 > N2 > SCM). Action potential profiles of SFM cells were characterized by slower activation and prolonged after hyperpolarization which predisposed SFM cells to fire repetitively. The presence of three types of inward calcium currents was also revealed in SFM cells. These differential effects were primarily attributable to the media used with a secondary enhancement by the chemical differentiating agents used (dB-cAMP and forskolin).

Role of intracellular Ca(2+)-stores in the 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced Ca(2+)-current inhibition in NG108-15 hybrid cells

Mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells (N x G, NG108-15) were used to study the mechanism of Ca(2+)-current (ICa) inhibition by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). 5-HT caused a dose-dependent decrease of ICa which was abolished by ICS 205-930 (10)(-8) M) while 2-methyl-5-HT was an agonist. Intracellular infusion of GDP beta S (50 microM) prevented the 5-HT-induced inhibition of ICa whereas pertussis toxin (PTX) pretreatment did not alter the 5-HT response. The 5-HT-induced inhibition depended on the free Ca(2+)-concentration in the pipette solution. Pretreating N x G cells with low molecular weight (LMW) heparin (160 micrograms/ml), 200 microM ryanodine or 2-10 mM caffeine attenuated the 5-HT-induced inhibition of ICa. From these results we suggest that the 5-HT-induced ICa inhibition requires release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.

Inhibitory modulation of fast and slow Ca(2+)-currents in neuroblastoma x glioma cells during differentiation

Mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells (N x G, 108CC15) were used to study the inhibitory effects of the synthetic opioid D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE), somatostatin, adrenaline-alpha 2 and angiotensin II on voltage-dependent Ca(2+)-currents (ICa) using the patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration mode. The inhibitory effects could be abolished by pretreatment of N x G cells with pertussis toxin or intracellular infusion of GDP beta S indicating an involvement of a pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding protein (G-protein), presumably Go. The effect of DADLE, the strongest inhibitor of ICa, was studied during dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dBcAMP) induced differentiation. Using omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CTX) and methoxyverapamil (D600) as specific Ca(2+)-channel blockers of the N- and L-type Ca(2+)-channels, it was found that in N x G cells DADLE predominantly induces inhibition of T- and N-type Ca(2+)-channels.