Calcium dependent regulation of catecholamine and serotonin metabolism in human neuroblastoma cells

Three human neuroblastoma cell lines were shown to have markedly different contents of catecholamines and serotonin. Two of the cell lines (CHP-134 and IMR-5) have higher levels of dopamine and its metabolites, while CHP-404 cells have higher levels of serotonin and its metabolites. Each cell line responded to the addition of D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate, an agent which increases plasma membrane permeability to Ca2+ (Pastuszko and Wilson, 1988; with striking changes in the metabolism of the neurotransmitters. These changes were dependent on the extracellular calcium concentration and include activation of dopamine synthesis (tyrosine hydroxylase), increased levels of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and increased formation of N-methylated dopamine derivatives. Catabolism of serotonin to 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid was inhibited while that to 5-hydroxytryptophol was stimulated. These data clearly identify several important sites for regulation of neurotransmitter metabolism by calcium. The mechanisms, direct or indirect, by which the enzyme activities are modulated by calcium remain to be established.