Inhibition of phospholipid methylation by an anti-allergic agent, NCO-650, during histamine release

Antigen, anti-IgE and concanavalin A (Con A) induced an increase in both the incorporation of the 3H-methyl moiety into phospholipids and histamine release. Maximal incorporation of the 3H-methyl moiety into the lipid fraction of the cells was observed within 15 sec and 1 min after being challenged with antigen (100 micrograms/mL) and anti-IgE (200 micrograms/mL) respectively. However, the methylated phospholipid decreased rapidly. The addition of Con A (10 micrograms/mL) also increased phospholipid methylation, which reached a maximum at 5 min after challenge. Trans-4-guanidinomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid p-tert-butylphenyl ester hydrochloride (NCO-650; 27 microM) strongly inhibited the incorporation of the 3H-methyl moiety into phospholipid by antigen, anti-IgE and Con A. The IC50 values of NCO-650 for phospholipid methylation in response to antigen, anti-IgE and Con A were 1.5, 4.7 and 1.1 microM respectively. Although the Ca2(+)-ionophore A23187 did not induce phospholipid methylation, it caused histamine release.