Calcium and cAMP signaling induced by gamma-hydroxybutyrate receptor(s) stimulation in NCB-20 neurons

The NCB-20 neurohybridoma cells differentiated with dibutyryl-cyclic-AMP represent an interesting model to study several components of the gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) system in brain. In particular, an active Na+-dependent uptake and a depolarization-evoked release of GHB is expressed by these cells, together with high affinity specific binding sites for this substance. However, only little is known about cellular mechanisms following GHB receptor(s) stimulation in these neurons. Electrophysiological data indicate that GHB can differently affect Ca2+ currents. L-type calcium channels were typically inhibited by GHB when NCB-20 cells were depolarized. In contrast, when NCB-20 cells were at resting potential, GHB induced a specific Ca2+ entry through T-type calcium channels. In this study, we investigated the effect induced on cytosolic free Ca2+ level and cAMP production by GHB receptor(s) stimulated with micromolar concentrations of GHB or structural analogues of GHB. Ca2+ movements studied by cellular imaging were dose-dependently increased but disappeared for GHB concentrations >25 μM. In addition, nanomolar doses of GHB inhibited forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase. This effect was also rapidly desensitized at higher GHB concentrations. Acting as an antagonist, NCS-382 decreased GHB receptor(s) mediated cAMP and calcium signals. The agonist NCS-356 mimicked GHB effects which were not affected by the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP-55-845. Our results reveal the occurrence of Ca2+-dependent adenylate cyclase inhibition in NCB-20 neurons after GHB receptor(s) stimulation by GHB concentrations <50 μM. Above this dose, GHB effects were inactivated. In addition, at GHB concentrations exceeding 50 μM, GTP-γS binding was also reduced, confirming the desensitization of GHB receptor(s). Taken together, these results support the existence in NCB-20 neurons of GHB receptors belonging to GPCR family that may recruit various G protein subtypes.