veratrine and Neuroblastoma

Batrachotoxin (BTX), veratridine and monensin induced a time- and dose-dependent increase of [3H]-inositol monophosphate (3H-IP1) accumulation in the presence of lithium in prelabeled neurohybrid NCB-20 cells. A decrease of NaCl concentration to less than 30 mM markedly increased basal 3H-IP1 accumulation; however, the percentage of stimulation induced by these three agents remained unchanged even in the complete absence of sodium. The stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis induced by these agents was detected in the absence of lithium but was largely prevented in the calcium-free medium. Tetradotoxin (TTX) blocked effects of BTX and veratridine (IC50 approximately 20nM), but not that stimulated by monensin. Thus, calcium-dependent activation of phospholipase C by these agents did not involve the entry of sodium or lithium. BTX and monensin also induced greater than additive effects on carbachol-induced 3H-IP1 accumulation. These effects were also TTX-sensitive and involved an increase in the Vmax and a decrease in the EC50 for carbachol. Veratridine provoked strikingly different effects on carbachol-dependent phosphoinositide turnover, depending on the passage number of the cells.

Topics: Batrachotoxins; Brain; Calcium; Carbachol; Chlorides; Hybrid Cells; Hydrolysis; Kinetics; Lithium; Lithium Chloride; Monensin; Neuroblastoma; Phosphatidylinositols; Sodium Channels; Sodium Chloride; Tetrodotoxin; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Type C Phospholipases; Veratridine; Veratrine

The state dependence of Na channel modification by the alkaloid neurotoxin veratridine was investigated with single-channel and whole-cell voltage-clamp recording in neuroblastoma cells. Several tests of whole-cell Na current behavior in the presence of veratridine supported the hypothesis that Na channels must be open in order to undergo modification by the neurotoxin. Modification was use dependent and required depolarizing pulses, the voltage dependence of production of modified channels was similar to that of normal current activation, and prepulses that caused inactivation of normal current had a parallel effect on the generation of modified current. This hypothesis was then examined directly at the single-channel level. Modified channel openings were easily distinguished from normal openings by their smaller current amplitude and longer burst times. The modification event was often seen as a sudden, dramatic reduction of current through an open Na channel and produced a somewhat flickery channel event having a mean lifetime of 1.6 s at an estimated absolute membrane potential of -45 mV (23 degrees C). The modified channel had a slope conductance of 4 pS, which was 20-25% the size of the slope conductance of normal channels with the 300 mM NaCl pipette solution used. Most modified channel openings were initiated by depolarizing pulses, began within the first 10 ms of the depolarizing step, and were closely associated with the prior opening of single normal Na channels, which supports the hypothesis that modification occurs from the normal open state.

Topics: Animals; Electric Conductivity; Ion Channels; Membrane Potentials; Neuroblastoma; Sodium; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Veratridine; Veratrine

Recently a glycoprotein capable to induce tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium permeability being incorporated to liposomes was purified from the cytoplasm of the bovine brain. It is shown that a monoclonal antibody derived against this protein binds intact murine neuroblastoma cells. Veratrine, neurotoxin referred to modulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium channels, is shown to compete with the antibody for the neuroblastoma surface epitope. It is postulated that molecular moiety bound with the antibody is either identical or spatially related to veratrine (veratridine) binding site.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibody Specificity; Binding Sites, Antibody; Binding, Competitive; Brain; Cattle; Cytoplasm; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neuroblastoma; Scorpion Venoms; Sodium Channels; Tetrodotoxin; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Veratrine

Depolarization with 50 mM K+ increased 45Ca2+ uptake into neuronal clonal cell lines NG108-15, N1E-115 and NH15-CA2. In each cell line this depolarization-induced uptake was blocked by inorganic and organic blockers of voltage sensitive calcium channels. However, tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M) was ineffective. Moreover, in the presence of tetrodotoxin, neither batrachotoxin nor veratridine inhibited the depolarization-induced uptake. The novel dihydropyridine BAY K8644 enhanced depolarization-induced 45Ca2+ uptake into each cell line in a nitrendipine reversible fashion. In the presence of tetrodotoxin, the BAY K8644/50 mM K+ stimulated uptake could be partially inhibited by batrachotoxin (10(-6) M) and veratridine (5 X 10(-5) M). These effects were not altered by the presence of scorpion venom (1 microgram/ml). The results indicate that both batrachotoxin and veratridine can modulate the effects of dihydropyridines on the gating properties of voltage sensitive calcium channels.

Topics: 3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; Batrachotoxins; Calcium; Calcium Channel Blockers; Calcium Radioisotopes; Cell Line; Clone Cells; Electrophysiology; Glioma; Hybrid Cells; Ion Channels; Neuroblastoma; Neurons; Nifedipine; Potassium; Pyridines; Veratridine; Veratrine

The effect of compounds that activate sodium channels on the number of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in neuroblastoma NIE 115 cells has been investigated. The cells were used in electrically unexcitable ("control" cells) and excitable ("differentiated" cells) states. Although receptor assays using a single concentration of the radioligand [3H]scopolamine methyl chloride indicated a loss of receptors after a 6-h incubation of cells with veratrine, no true loss of receptors was seen with any of the compounds tested (veratridine, veratrine, aconitine) when full saturation analyses were performed in either control or differentiated cells. The apparent receptor loss seen with veratrine was due to a muscarinic receptor-active component of veratrine (not veratridine) occluded by the cells and released into the binding assays upon cell breakage. Veratridine and aconitine have a very low affinity for muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, and the binding of carbamoylcholine to the receptors is unaffected by tetrodotoxin, so that there is no evidence in this system for interaction between muscarinic receptors and sodium channels.

Topics: Aconitine; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Ion Channels; Kinetics; Mathematics; Mice; N-Methylscopolamine; Neuroblastoma; Receptors, Cholinergic; Scopolamine Derivatives; Sodium; Veratridine; Veratrine; Veratrum Alkaloids

The voltage-dependent Na+ ionophore of various neuronal cells is permeable not only to Na+ ions but also to guanidinium ions. Therefore, the veratridine- (or aconitine-)stimulated influx of [14C]guanidinium in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells was measured to characterize the Na+ ionophore of these cells. Half-maximal stimulation of guanidinium uptake was seen at 30 microM veratridine. At 1 mM guanidinium, the veratridine-stimulated uptake of guanidinium was lowered to 50% by approximately 60 mM Li+, Na+, or K+ and by a few millimolar Mn2+, Co2+, or Ni2+. The basal, as well as the veratridine-stimulated, uptake of guanidinium was inhibited by the cholinergic antagonists (+)-tubocurarine (Ki = 50 to 500 nM) and atropine (Ki = 5 to 30 microM) and the adrenergic antagonists phentolamine (Ki = 5 microM) and propranolol (Ki = 60 microM). The specificity of the inhibitory effects of these agents is stressed by the ineffectiveness of various other neurotransmitter antagonists. However, the corresponding ionophore in neuroblastoma cells (clone N1E-115) seems to be regulated differently. While phentolamine and propranolol inhibit the veratridine-activated uptake as in the hybrid cells, (+)-tubocurarine and atropine exert only a slight effect.

Topics: Animals; Atropine; Calcium; Cell Line; Glioma; Guanidine; Guanidines; Hybrid Cells; Ion Channels; Kinetics; Membrane Potentials; Mice; Neuroblastoma; Neurons; Neurotransmitter Agents; Phentolamine; Propranolol; Rats; Tubocurarine; Veratridine; Veratrine

Veratridine induces membrane potential oscillations in non-excitable glioma cells, which are not affected by ouabain (2 mM) or by D600 (0.1 mM). In the presence of veratridine, scorpion toxin causes depolarization of the glioma cells to a positive value of the membrane potential. These effects of veratridine and of scorpion toxin are observed in Na+ but not in choline medium and are inhibited by tetrodotoxin. The response of the glioma cells to bradykinin has also been studied during these experiments. Previously bradykinin has been shown in these cells to induce a hyperpolarizing response caused by an increase in K+ conductance. This response to bradykinin can still be seen during the veratridine-induced oscillations of the membrane potential. In the glioma cells the uptake of guanidinium, a substitute for Na+, is enhanced by veratridine plus scorpion toxin. This stimulation is tetrodotoxin-sensitive. However, in the excitable neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells studied for comparison, veratridine causes membrane potential oscillations accompanied at the rising phase by one action potential or a train of action potentials. The results demonstrate that in non-excitable glioma cells tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ channels can be activated by veratridine and by scorpion toxin.

Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Cell Line; Glioma; Guanidine; Guanidines; Hybrid Cells; Ion Channels; Membrane Potentials; Neoplasms, Experimental; Neuroblastoma; Rats; Scorpion Venoms; Sodium; Tetrodotoxin; Veratridine; Veratrine

Topics: Anesthetics, Local; Animals; Cell Line; Glioma; Guanidine; Guanidines; Hybrid Cells; Ion Channels; Kinetics; Mice; Neuroblastoma; Rats; Strychnine; Veratridine; Veratrine

Incubation of neuroblastoma NIE 115 cells with veratrine leads to an apparent reduction in the number of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors assayed by [3H]scopolamine methyl chloride binding. No true down-regulation of the receptors occurs but a component of veratrine with muscarinic receptor affinity, which is not veratridine, enters the intracellular water space during the incubation period and competes with [3H]scopolamine methyl chloride for the muscarinic binding sites in subsequent ligand binding assays unless it is carefully washed away. Treatment of cells with the agonist carbamoylcholine does, however, lead to a true downregulation of muscarinic receptors.

Topics: Carbachol; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured; Ion Channels; Neuroblastoma; Receptors, Cholinergic; Receptors, Muscarinic; Scopolamine Derivatives; Sodium; Veratridine; Veratrine

Topics: Cells, Cultured; Dinoflagellida; Drug Synergism; Ion Channels; Kinetics; Marine Toxins; Neoplasms, Experimental; Neuroblastoma; Saxitoxin; Sodium; Veratridine; Veratrine

Cultured human neuroblastoma cell lines were assayed for biochemical characteristics of neuonal function. Cell lines studied included LA-N-1, LA-N-2, IMR-32, SK-N-SH, and SK-N-MC. Veratridine-dependent uptake of 22Na+ implied the presence of the action potential Na+ ionophore in LA-N-1, LA-N-2, IMR-32, and SK-N-SH. The time course of 22Na+ uptake and inhibition of uptake by tetrodotoxin supported this. SK-N-MC had no veratridine-dependent 22Na+ uptake. Tyrosine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.10.), glutamic acid decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.15), and acetylcholine contents in neuroblastoma cells were compared to those in brain. LA-N-1 and IMR-32 contained 15 and 5 times as much tyrosine hydroxylase, respectively, whereas LA-N-2, SK-N-SH, and SK-N-MC contained only 0.5 to 5% of that in brain. Acetylcholine was present in -LA-N-2 in 15- to 20-fold greater quantities than in brain; other lines had only 10 to 50% of that in brain. None of the cell lines contained glutamic acid decarboxylase. Thus, continuously propogated human neuroblastoma cell lines may have the action potential Na+ ionophore and may be adrenergic (LA-N-1 and IMR-32), cholinergic (LA-N-2), or inactive (SK-N-SH and SK-N-MC). This is the first demonstration of the action potential Na+ ionophore and of acetylcholine production in human neuroblastoma cell lines.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Action Potentials; Cell Line; Glutamate Decarboxylase; Humans; Ionophores; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neuroblastoma; Sodium; Sympathomimetics; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; Veratrine

Topics: Animals; Binding Sites; Cell Line; Central Nervous System; Cerebellum; Drug Synergism; Humans; Kinetics; Medulla Oblongata; Mice; Muscles; Neuroblastoma; Neurons; Peripheral Nerves; Rats; Scorpion Venoms; Sodium; Species Specificity; Tetrodotoxin; Veratridine; Veratrine

The activation of the action potential Na+ ionophore by veratridine and batrachotoxin is time- and concentration-dependent and completely reversible. Batrachotoxin acts more slowly than veratridine. The concentration dependence of activation at equilibrium suggests reversible interaction of each toxin with a single class of independent sites having dissociation constants at physiologic ion concentrations of 80 plus or minus 13 muM for veratridine and 0.4 plus or minus muM for batrachotoxin. The maximum velocity of Na+ uptake at 50 mM Na+ is 128 plus or minus 12 nmol/min/mg in the presence of batrachotoxin compared to 48 plus or minus 4 nmol/min/mg in the presence of veratridine. Treatment of cells with excess veratridine in addition to batrachotoxin inhibits batrachotoxin-dependent 22-Na+ uptake. The concentration dependence of this inhibition suggests that it reflects competitive displacement of batrachotoxin from its binding site by veratridine. The activation by veratridine and batrachotoxin is inhibited in a competitive manner by divalent cations. The inhibition by divalent cations exhibits significant ion specificity with Mn-2+ greater than Co-2+ greater than Ni-2+ greater than Ca-2+ greater than Mg-2+ greater than Sr-2+. The inhibition constants (KI) for Ca-2+ are 0.84 mM for veratridine-dependent 22-Na+ uptake and 1.2 mM for batrachotoxin-dependent 22-Na+ uptake. The activation by veratridine and batrachotoxin is inhibited in a noncompetitive manner by tetrodotoxin. The apparent KD for tetrodotoxin as 11 plus or minus 1 nM in the presence of 150 mM Na+ and approximately 8.5 nM in 50 mM Na+. Divalent cations do not affect the apparent KD for tetrodotoxin. A hypothesis is presented which suggests that batrachotoxin, veratridine, and divalent cations interact with an activation site associated with the action potential Na+ ionophore, whereas tetrodotoxin interacts with a physically and functionally independent site involved in the transport of monovalent cations by the ionophore.

Topics: Action Potentials; Animals; Batrachotoxins; Biological Transport, Active; Calcium; Cations, Divalent; Cell Line; Choline; Kinetics; Manganese; Mice; Neuroblastoma; Sodium; Sucrose; Time Factors; Tromethamine; Veratridine; Veratrine