Cholinergic synapse formation between NG108-15 and muscle cells and modulation of transmission

Mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells form cholinergic synapses with rat or mouse muscle cells in culture. The rate of synapse formation is greatly dependent on intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations. The synapse formation is lower in the presence of glia maturation factor, a partially purified brain extract. Once the synapse between NG108-15 cells and myotubes has been formed, this synapse is stable for days. Extracellular application of serotonin, PGF2 alpha, PGD2, neurotensin and bradykinin on NG108-15 cells increases synaptic transmission. Since bradykinin increases the level of intracellular inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), bradykinin-induced facilitation is due to InsP3-dependent elevation of intracellular Ca concentrations.