The slow cyclic GMP increase caused by serotonin in NG108-15 cells is not inhibited by antagonists of known serotonin receptors: possible existence of a new receptor subtype coupled with membrane-bound guanylate cyclase.

Characterization of the serotonin (5-HT)-induced cyclic GMP (cGMP) elevation was investigated in comparison with bradykinin- and ANP-induced elevations in NG108-15 cells. At 20 s, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetraacetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM, 100 microM), a membrane-permeabilized Ca2+ chelator, or N-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA, 300 microM), an inhibitor of L-arginine-derived nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, inhibited 5-HT-induced elevation by approximately 40%, and completely inhibited bradykinin-induced response. Neither 5-HT- nor ANP-induced cGMP elevation at 10 min was affected by BAPTA-AM or NMMA. The cGMP elevated by 5-HT as well as by ANP was effluxed to the extracellular medium. These results and our previous report suggest that 5-HT stimulates two subtypes of 5-HT receptors in NG108-15: first, 5-HT3 subtype stimulating Ca(2+)-sensitive cytosolic guanylate cyclase through NO derived from L-arginine and second, a probably novel 5-HT receptor subtype involved in activation of membrane-bound guanylate cyclase.