Enkephalin dimers: Regulation of cyclic AMP levels in NG108-15 cells

Intracellular cyclic AMP levels were determined for dimeric and monomeric enkephalins interacting with PGE₁-stimulated NG108-15 cells. The dimeric pentapeptide enkephalin (DPE₂), [D-Ala², Leu⁵ -NH-CH₂]₂, displaying very high affinity (K = 4.2 ± 0.3 nM^?1) for the δ-opiate receptor, inhibited cyclic AMP production by 70%. Its IC₅₀-value was between 0.1 and 0.2 nM, similar to that of the potent δ-agonist [D-Ala², D-Leu⁵] enkephalin (DADLE) with K = 1.0 ± 0.1 nM^?1. [D-Ala², Leu⁵] enkephalin amide (DALEA), which is the monomer of DPE₂, showed an IC₅₀ = 4 nM. The dimeric tetrapeptide enkephalin (DTE₁₂), [D-Ala², des-Leu⁵-NH-(CH₂)₆]₂ and its monomer [D-Ala², desLeu⁵] enkephalin amide (DAPEA) showed IC₅₀ = 2 and 20 nM, respectively. These results indicate that the DPE₂ and DTE₁₂ enkephalin dimers are potent δ-agonists.     

Cross-dependence to opioid and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonists in NG108-15 cells

Clonidine, a partial alpha 2-agonist, has been used empirically to alleviate opiate withdrawal symptoms, but the mechanism of its effects is not completely understood. We studied the interactions of opioid and adrenergic receptor agonists in the NG108-15 cells, which are a model of opiate dependence. We determined that in these cells the adenylate cyclase (AC) [EC 4.6.1.1; ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing) overshoot response to opioid or alpha 2-agonist withdrawal can be significantly attenuated or suppressed by the other agonist. Subsequently, the AC overshoot response can be triggered with the antagonist to the second agonist to which the cells were not dependent. These results demonstrate that convergent dependence to morphine and alpha 2 agonists can occur in a homogeneous cell population without neuronal loops. Therefore, the basic mechanisms that can account for convergent dependence in this model take place at the level of intracellular regulatory pathways that do not require neuronal networks.     

Pertussis toxin inhibits enkephalin stimulation of GTPase of NG108-15 cells

In neuroblastoma-glioma (NG108-15) hybrid cells, opiates inhibit adenylate cyclase and stimulate a low Km GTPase. It has been postulated that the stimulation of GTPase plays a role in opiate inhibition of adenylate cyclase (Koski, G., and Klee, W. A. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78, 4185-4189). Treatment of NG108-15 cells with pertussis toxin attenuates receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase. The toxin acts by catalyzing the ADP-ribosylation of a 41,000-dalton substrate believed to be a part of the receptor-adenylate cyclase complex. We have found that toxin treatment of NG108-15 results in inhibition of the opiate-stimulated GTPase. The concentration of toxin required for inhibition of this GTPase was similar to that needed for both attenuation of opiate inhibition of adenylate cyclase and ADP ribosylation of the 41,000-dalton substrate. Inhibition of the opiate-induced GTPase by pertussis toxin in isolated membranes required NAD, consistent with the hypothesis that this effect of the toxin resulted from ADP ribosylation of a protein component of the system. Since the opiate-stimulated GTPase is believed to play a role in the receptor-mediated decrease in adenylate cyclase activity, inhibition of this GTPase may be an important part of the mechanism by which the toxin interferes with opiate action on adenylate cyclase.     

Specific reduction of delta-opioid receptor binding in transfected NG108-15 cells.

We have recently identified and sequenced the cDNA for an opioid-binding protein with homologies to cell adhesion molecules (OBCAM) (Schofield, P. R., McFarlard, K. C., Hayflick, J. S., Wilcox, J. N., Cho, T. M., Roy, S., Lee, N. M., Loh, H. H., and Seeburg, P. H. (1989) EMBO J. 8, 489-495). Several lines of evidence using antibodies suggest that OBCAM may play a functional role in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma cells, a useful model system that contains a homogeneous population of delta-opioid receptors. A logical extension of this research is to further test this hypothesis. As part of this study, NG108-15 cells were stably transfected with either sense or antisense sequences of a portion of pROM, the rat cDNA for OBCAM. [3H] Diprenorphine binding was greatly reduced in antisense-transfected cells relative to non-transfected cells. Binding to alpha 2-adrenergic, muscarinic, and insulin receptors was unaffected. These results further support the notion that OBCAM or its analogue is part (or a subunit) of an opioid receptor. Furthermore, our observation of an apparently specific reduction in opioid binding in these transfected cells suggests that they may provide a novel genetic approach for studying regulation of the opioid receptor in this defined cell line.     

Modification of opioid receptor activity by acid phosphatase in neuroblastoma x glioma NG108-15 hybrid cells

Opioid receptor activity in neuroblastoma x glioma NG108-15 hybrid cell membranes was attenuated by acid phosphatase purified by high performance liquid chromatography and devoid of protease activity. Treatment of membranes with this phosphatase decreased opioid inhibition of adenylate cyclase and this effect was potentiated by the presence of the opioid agonist during the phosphatase treatment. Phosphatase treatment did not affect the number of opioid receptors but it did alter the distribution of receptors among affinity states, by increasing the percentage of receptors in the low affinity state. The similarities between these effects and desensitization of the opioid receptor, during chronic opioid treatment, are discussed.     

Rebound increase of basal cAMP level in NG108-15 cells during chronic morphine treatment: effects of naloxone and chloramphenicol

The effects of morphine on the basal cAMP level in the neuroblastoma X glioma NG108-15 hybrid cell line have been studied. Morphine (10 microM) added to the incubation media at hr 0 caused a rapid and significant decrease in the cAMP level up to hr 1; the level then slowly returned to the control at hr 6, and gradually increased to its peak at hr 36, returning to the control at hr 60. These results provide the first evidence for a delayed rebound increase of cAMP during morphine treatment. Naloxone (10 microM) added at hr 0 concomitantly with morphine blocked the morphine-induced decrease in cAMP level at hr 1 and attenuated its increase at hr 36. However, when naloxone was added at hr 5.5, the cAMP level significantly increased at hr 6, and at hr 36 the cAMP level increase was the same as in the case of morphine alone. Furthermore when naloxone was added 0.5 hr prior to harvesting the cells at hr 6, 12, 24 and 36, the cAMP level showed an immediate increase at each time point up to about the same level as observed with morphine alone at hr 36. Chloramphenicol, a protein synthesis inhibitor (100 microM) itself caused little or no change in the cAMP level. Added 30 min before morphine, chloramphenicol decreased the morphine-induced rebound increase at hr 36 in a concentration-dependent manner without any significant effect on cAMP decrease at hr 1. However when chloramphenicol was added at hr 5.5, the morphine-induced rebound increase at hr 36 was also attenuated, thereby suggesting an involvement of macromolecular synthesis in the rebound increase of cAMP which may be used as a model for the development of morphine dependence.     

125I-beta-endorphin binding to neuroblastoma X glioma NG108-15 cells: distribution of delta opioid receptors.

The mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid NG108-15 was previously shown to express delta opioid receptors. Because neuroblastoma cells display different phenotypes and cloned cell lines are heterogenous, we studied the characteristics and distribution of human 125I-beta-endorphin (125I-beta E) binding sites in cultures of NG108-15 cells with the use of micro-autoradiography and light microscopy. 125I-beta E labeled delta sites in NG108-15 in the presence of the non-opioid blocking peptide, beta-endorphin (6-31) (beta E (6-31)). Silver grains resulting from 125I-beta E 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 delta agonist DADLE, previously shown to decrease beta E binding to delta 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 delta opioid binding has a heterogenous cellular distribution in NG108.     

Cycloheximide potentiation of prostaglandin E1- and cholera toxin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in NG108-CC15 neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells

Previous studies have demonstrated that catecholamine responsiveness in a variety of cells can be altered by inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis. The neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid, NG108-CC15, which lacks catecholamine-stimulated accumulation of cyclic AMP, was investigated to determine if the responsiveness to prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) could be modified by inhibitors of protein synthesis. Cycloheximide in a time-dependent manner potentiated the ability of prostaglandin E1 to stimulate accumulation of intracellular cyclic AMP. However, the alpha-adrenergic inhibition of the prostaglandin response was not affected by cycloheximide. Withdrawal of norepinephrine following a long-term incubation resulted in a potentiation of subsequent PGE1-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. Cycloheximide enhanced this norepinephrine withdrawal effect. Our previous studies have shown that cholera toxin induces refractoriness to beta-adrenergic agonists in C6-2B rat astrocytoma cells and that cycloheximide blocked this action of cholera toxin. In an analogous manner cholera toxin caused refractoriness to subsequent prostaglandin-stimulated cyclic AMP production in NG108-CC15 cells, and cycloheximide reduced cholera toxin-induced prostaglandin refractoriness. Thus cycloheximide potentiates the prostaglandin stimulatory effect, has no effect on the ability of alpha-agonists to inhibit the prostaglandin response, increases the stimulatory effect of PGE1 after norepinephrine withdrawal, and reduces cholera toxin-induced PGE1 refractoriness. these observations suggest that PGE1-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in NG108-CC15 cells contains components which are regulated by de novo protein synthesis.     

Affinity purification of the opioid receptor in NG 108-15 cells using an avidin-biotin system with a novel elution method

Affinity purification of the opioid receptor in NG 108-15 cells was carried out using an affinity resin based on the avidin-biotin interactions, but a new elution method was employed with a radioligand of sub-micromolar concentration. A synthesized biotinyl derivative of leucine-enkephalin has a high affinity for the delta-receptor, but the affinity was lowered 10-fold in the presence of avidin. The new elution method is based on this affinity decrease and resulted in a 100-fold purification over the initial crude materials in the single step. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified receptor revealed three polypeptides of 58, 65 and 71 kDa as possible components of the delta-receptor.     

A physiological requirement of Na+ for the regulation of cAMP levels in intact NG108-15 cells.

An antigonadotropic compound present in extracts of bovine pineal gland which reduces compensatory ovarian hypertrophy in adult mice was partially purified by gel filtration and further characterized by ion-exchange chromatography and high voltage paper electrophoresis.An acetic acid extract of bovine pineal glands was gel-filtered on Sephadex G-25, from which two antigonadotropic fraction were obtained and designated as F4 and F5. Each of these fractions was further purified by high voltage paper electrophoresis. The antigonadotropic activity of F4 was found in the neutral and acid regions. The F4 fraction was also further purified by cation exchange chromatography. The fraction eluted at pH 4.4 from the cation exchange chromatogram was found to be antigonadotropic. This fraction (pH 4.4) was then further purified by high voltage paper electrophoresis. Antigonadotropic activity was found in the area of the neutral region of the electrophoretogram.The antigonadotropic material is thought not to be melation or arginine vasotocin based on the antigonadotropin being eluted from Sephadex G-25 in a fraction distinct from these two compounds.     

Rapid agonist-induced loss of 125I-beta-endorphin opioid receptor sites in NG108-15, but not SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells.

We have measured mu and delta opioid receptor sites on intact SK-N-SH and NG108-15 neuroblastoma cells, respectively, in culture. Use of 125I-beta-endorphin (beta E) as a tracer, together with beta E(6-31) to block high-affinity non-opioid binding in both cell lines, permitted the measurement of cell surface mu and delta opioid receptor sites. Labeling was at delta sites in NG108-15 cells and predominantly at mu sites in SK-N-SH cells. Pretreatment with the mu and delta agonist, DADLE, caused a rapid loss of cell surface delta receptor sites in NG108-15 cells, but failed to reduce significantly mu receptor density in SK-N-SH cells.     

Interaction of dimeric and monomeric enkephalins with NG108-15 hybrid cells

The binding of the enkephalin dimer [d-Ala², Leu⁵-NH-CH₂-]₂ (DPE₂) is characterized by (1) its high affinity for receptors on NG108-15 hybrid cells, the affinity constantK=4.7×10⁹ M^–1 is up to 8-fold that of monomers (0.6 to 1.0×10⁹ M^–1), and (2) a maximal binding capacity equal to one half that of the monomers. Kinetic studies showed that DPE₂ binds with a 2-fold higher rate, k₁=6.3×10⁷ M^–1min^–1, than monomers (2.4 to 3.8×10⁷ M^–1min^–1), and dissociates at a slower rate than monomers. Dissociation of DPE₂ was consistently bi- or multiphasic but increased about 12% only after 3 hr of dissociation in the presence of a large excess of unlabeled enkephalin. The dissociation kinetics of monomers varied with enkephalin and experimental conditions used. Consistent with the value for the maximal binding capacity, the kinetic studies are interpreted in support of the hypothesis that DPE₂ binds by cross-linking two subunits of one receptor.     

Gramicidin toxicity in NG108-15 cells: protective effects of acetamidine and guanidine

Studies were conducted using a novel in vitro approach to investigate the efficacy of acetamidine hydrochloride (ACE) and guanidine hydrochloride (GUAN), previously shown to block gramicidin D (GRAM) channels in artificial membranes, in preventing the toxic effects of GRAM in NG108-15 (neuroblastoma×glioma hybrid) cells. Specifically, intracellular microelectrode techniques were employed to examine changes in membrane resting potential (V _m) and input resistance (R _in). At 1 mol/L, ACE significantly reduced loss of V _m induced by 1 or 10 g/ml GRAM, although higher concentrations of ACE did not afford enhanced antagonism. GUAN, in contrast, produced a concentration-dependent antagonism of GRAM-induced V _m and R _in loss, with high concentrations (10 or 100 mol/L) completely preventing diminutions in both V _m and R _in. In control cells superfused without GRAM, ACE produced a direct, concentration-dependent reduction in V _m and R _in, whereas GUAN hyperpolarized NG108-15 cells but did not alter R _in. These data represent the initial demonstration of the reversal of GRAM toxicity in an intact cell system.     

beta-Endorphin: evidence for the existence of opioid and non-opioid binding components for the tritiated human hormone in NG108-15 cells

Human beta-endorphin (beta h-EP) binding on neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells using tritiated human beta endorphin (3H-beta h-EP) as a primary ligand was found to have a component which was not displacable with [D-Ser2 )-Leu-enkephalin-Thr6 (DSLET). The beta h-EP binding on these cells after saturation of the delta opiate sites with 200 nM DSLET was further characterized with synthetic beta h-EP analogs. The nonopioid binding site appears to recognize beta h-EP-(6-31), beta h-EP-(21-31) and beta h-EP-(28-31). Under these conditions, these COOH-terminal segments fully displace the tritiated beta h-EP. However, beta h-EP-(1-27) does not further displace 3H-beta h-EP in the presence of DSLET. The fact that a combination of DSLET and beta h-EP-(6-31) results in a full displacement of 3H-beta h-EP provides direct evidence for the existence of two binding sites for beta h-EP in NG108-15 cells, one recognizing the NH2-terminal enkephalin sequence and the other the non-opioid COOH-terminal segment.     

Influence of retinoic acid and of cyclic AMP on the expression of choline acetyltransferase and of vesicular acetylcholine transporter in NG108-15 cells

Treatment of the cholinergic cell line NG108-15 with retinoic acid or cAMP results in an increase of choline acetyltransferase activity (ChAT) whereas none of these agents influences the amount of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) as judged from vesamicol binding and immunoblot studies. We suggest that immaturity of posttranslational events controlling the expression of VAChT protein is responsible for the apparent absence of coregulation of ChAT and VAChT protein expression.     

Inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin promotes cyclic AMP-induced differentiation of NG108-15 cells

To clarify the involvement of autophagy in neuronal differentiation, the effect of rapamycin, an mTOR complex inhibitor, on the dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP)-induced differentiation of NG108-15 cells was examined. Treatment of NG108-15 cells with 1 mM dbcAMP resulted in induction of differentiation, including neurite outgrowth and varicosity formation, enhanced voltage-sensitive Ca²⁺ channel activity and expression of microtubule-associated protein 2, and these effects involved phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). Simultaneous application of dbcAMP and rapamycin synergistically increased and accelerated differentiation. mTOR or raptor silencing with siRNA had a similar effect to rapamycin. Rapamycin and silencing of mTOR or raptor evoked autophagy, while blockade of autophagy by addition of 3-methyladenine or beclin 1 or Atg5 silencing prevented the potentiation of differentiation. Silencing of rictor also evokes autophagy, at a level 55% of that induced by raptor silencing and enhancement of differentiation is proportional. Rapamycin also caused increased ATP generation and cell cycle arrest in G₀/G₁ phase, but had no effect on CREB and ERK phosphorylation. dbcAMP also induced ATP generation, but not autophagy or cell cycle arrest. These results suggest that the increased autophagy, ATP generation and cell cycle arrest caused by mTOR inhibition promotes the dbcAMP-induced differentiation of NG108-15 cells.     

Inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin promotes cyclic AMP-induced differentiation of NG108-15 cells

To clarify the involvement of autophagy in neuronal differentiation, the effect of rapamycin, an mTOR complex inhibitor, on the dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP)-induced differentiation of NG108-15 cells was examined. Treatment of NG108-15 cells with 1 mM dbcAMP resulted in induction of differentiation, including neurite outgrowth and varicosity formation, enhanced voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel activity and expression of microtubule-associated protein 2, and these effects involved phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). Simultaneous application of dbcAMP and rapamycin synergistically increased and accelerated differentiation. mTOR or raptor silencing with siRNA had a similar effect to rapamycin. Rapamycin and silencing of mTOR or raptor evoked autophagy, while blockade of autophagy by addition of 3-methyladenine or beclin 1 or Atg5 silencing prevented the potentiation of differentiation. Silencing of rictor also evokes autophagy, at a level 55% of that induced by raptor silencing and enhancement of differentiation is proportional. Rapamycin also caused increased ATP generation and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, but had no effect on CREB and ERK phosphorylation. dbcAMP also induced ATP generation, but not autophagy or cell cycle arrest. These results suggest that the increased autophagy, ATP generation and cell cycle arrest caused by mTOR inhibition promotes the dbcAMP-induced differentiation of NG108-15 cells.     

The angiotensin AT2 receptor modulates T-type calcium current in non-differentiated NG108-15 cells.

We report here that angiotensin II (AII) and the AT2 receptor-selective ligand, CGP 42112, modulate the T-type calcium current in non-differentiated NG108-15 cells, which express only AT2 receptors. Both peptides decrease the T-type calcium current at membrane potentials above -40 mV and shift the current-voltage curve at lower potentials with maximal effect between 5 and 10 min after application. These data describe a new cellular response to AII and suggest that the AT2 receptor mediates certain neurophysiological actions of this hormone.     

Different effects of five dopamine receptor subtypes on nuclear factor-kappaB activity in NG108-15 cells and mouse brain

We previously showed that dopamine receptors D1R and D2R expressed in NG108-15 cells activated protein kinase A and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) respectively, resulting in differential activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activity. To investigate whether other dopamine receptor subtypes regulate NF-kappaB, we established NG108-15 cells stably expressing D3R, D4R and D5R (NGD3R, NGD4R and NGD5R). D5R stimulation with SKF 38393 decreased NF-kappaB luciferase reporter activity in NGD5R cells, similar to D1R stimulation in NGD1R cells. However, D3R or D4R stimulation with quinpirole showed no change in NF-kappaB-Luci activity, although forskolin-induced cyclic AMP responsive element-Luci activation was attenuated by quinpirole treatment in NGD2LR, NGD3R and NGD4R cells. As expected, activation of ERK or serum responsive element-luciferase reporter not observed following stimulation with quinpirole in D3R- or D4R-expressing cells. We further examined the effects of haloperidol and risperidone, which are typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs respectively, on NF-kappaB activity by gel shift assay in mouse frontal cortex. Haloperidol treatment slightly attenuated basal NF-kappaB activity. By contrast, risperidone treatment enhanced NF-kappaB activity. Taken together, D2R and D1R/D5R had opposite effects on NF-kappaB activity in NG108-15 cells. Risperidone up-regulated and haloperidol down-regulated NF-kappaB activity in mouse brain. This effect may be related to the atypical antipsychotic properties of risperidone.     

Subtype of muscarinic receptor coupled to the attenuation of hormone-stimulated cAMP accumulation in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells.

The subtype of muscarinic receptor which mediates cAMP attenuation is not established. Therefore, several selective muscarinic antagonists were used to characterize the subtype of muscarinic receptor coupled to the inhibition of hormone-stimulated cAMP accumulation using NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells. These cells were prelabeled with [2-3H]-adenine, washed, and resuspended in a culture medium containing the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (0.5 mM). The labeled cells were preincubated with the different antagonists 12-15 min. before they were challenged with agonists. The formation of [3H]-cAMP was activated by PGE1 (1 microM) or forskolin (1 microM). In all cases, [3H]-cAMP formed was separated and measured. Carbachol (100 microM) and McN-A343 (10 mM) were used as standard muscarinic agonists. These studies gave the following results: a) McN-A343 (10 mM), an M1 receptor agonist, was only a partial agonist causing 40% inhibition of cAMP accumulation indicating that this effect was not mediated by an M1 receptor; b) The M1-selective antagonist, pirenzepine, exhibited low affinity (pA2 6.2) further suggesting that an M1 receptor was not coupled to the attenuation of cAMP accumulation; c) Two selective M2 antagonists (AF-DX 116 and methoctramine) and M3 antagonist (HHSiD) were used to further characterize these muscarinic receptors. The order of all antagonists based on their affinities (pA2 values) could be arranged in the following order: atropine (9.0) > methoctramine (7.6) > HHSiD (6.9) > AF-DX 116 (6.6) > pirenzepine (6.2). HHSiD exhibits the same degree of affinity to M2 receptors of other tissues as it does to those of NG cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)