CHARACTERIZATION OF 2 DISTINCT 5-HT RECEPTORS COUPLED TO ADENYLATE-CYCLASE ACTIVATION AND ION CURRENT GENERATION IN NCB-20 CELLS

The level of cyclic AMP in NCB-20 cells was increased by serotonin (5-HT), 5-methoxytryptamine and 2-methyl-5-HT with EC50 of 0.5 ± 0.1, 1.0 ± 0.1, 10 ± 0.1 μM, respectively. The 5-HT-mediated increase of cyclic AMP content was completely blocked by metergoline but unaffected by 5-HT3 antagonists, ICS 205-930, MDL 72222, quipazine and 5-HT2 antagonist, ketanserin. Putative 5-HT1A agonists (8-OH-DPAT, ipsapirone, and buspirone) and 5-HT1B agonists (TFMPP and m-CPP) affected neither basal nor forskolin-dependent cyclic AMP accumulation. Receptor binding studies suggest that NCB-20 cells are devoid of 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor sites. Application of 5-HT onto NCB-20 cells resulted in membrane depolarization by an evoked inward current which displayed rapid desensitization. 5-HT-mediated current had a reversal potential around 0 mV and was potently and reversibly inhibited by ICS 205-930. Our data suggest that in NCB-20 cells the 5-HT3 receptor is involved in the generation of inward currents, while the 5-HT receptor coupled to adenylate cyclase does not seem to correspond to any of the known receptor subtypes. © 1990.