Evidence for P2-purinoceptors on human osteoblast-like cells

ATP released from damaged cells or by controlled secretion could be an important factor in the formation or remodeling of bone. In a variety of other tissues ATP has been shown to control cellular processes by acting on P2-purinoceptors and activating the calcium signaling pathway. Here we demonstrate for the first time that extracellular ATP increases the intracellular free calcium [Ca2+]i concentration in normal human osteoblasts and in SaOS-2 cells, a human osteosarcoma-derived cell line, but not in ROS 17/2.8 cells. The ATP-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was dose dependent, and the concentrations of ATP required were similar to those reported to regulate cellular functions in other cell types. Although ATP is metabolized rapidly by bone cells, the effects on [Ca2+]i appeared to be mediated directly by ATP rather than one of its metabolites. Adenosine 3-thiotriphosphate, a nonhydrolyzable analog of ATP, induced similar changes in [Ca2+]i. This indicates that P2-purinoceptors are present on osteoblast-like cells and that extracellular ATP from various sources might be an important factor in the regulation of osteoblast functions.