A functional in vitro model to examine signaling mechanisms in gastrin-mediated human cell growth

Gastrin (G-17) is a trophic hormone with a high affinity for the cholecystokinin-B receptor (CCK-BR); the mechanisms linking receptor binding and activation of downstream events to cell growth are not known, and these studies have been hampered by the lack of a cell model. We have established a pancreatic carcinoid cell line, BON, which produces a number of gut hormones; however, these cells lack native CCK-BR. The purpose of our study was to develop a model cell line containing the CCK-BR and to characterize the cellular mechanisms involved in gastrin regulation of human cell growth. BON cells were transfected with an expression plasmid containing the human CCK-BR, and stable clones were selected using G418. Functional CCK-BR was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, 125I-gastrin binding, and mobilization of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in response to G-17. Stable transfectants were treated with G-17 (+/-) the CCK-BR antagonist, L365,260 (L-60); growth was assessed using a Coulter counter. G-17 stimulated the growth of the stable clones, whereas the selective CCK-BR antagonist, L-60, abolished this G-17-mediated trophic effect. We have shown that G-17, acting through the CCK-BR, mobilizes [Ca2+]i as a second messenger and stimulates cell growth. Our unique BON cell line, stably transfected with the human CCK-BR, provides a novel paradigm to further delineate signaling mechanisms in gastrin regulation of human cell growth.