Characterisation of a new human neuroblastoma cell line, NAL-GT

This paper describes the establishment of a new polyclonal human neuroblastoma cell line NAL-GT. Pharmacological characterisation of a cell line comprising > 70% neurones using radioligand binding, Ins(1,4,5)trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) mass formation, intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) determinations and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation has been performed. Carbachol (1 mM) and noradrenaline (10 microM) increased Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation 2-3-fold basal. Noradrenaline (10 microM) and morphine (10 microM) reduced forskolin stimulated cAMP formation by 19.7 and 30.5%, respectively. Carbachol (1 mM) and K+ (50 mM) increased [Ca2+]i. These data indicate that polyclonal (heterogeneous) NAL-GT cells express muscarinic, alpha 1 and alpha 2 adrenoceptors, opioid receptors and voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels and may prove useful in the study of the cellular basis of drug action.