P2-purinoceptor-activated membrane currents and inositol tetrakisphosphate formation are blocked by suramin.

The effect of suramin on the ATP-induced response in vas deferens DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells was studied. Stimulation of P2-purinoceptors by ATP caused a change in membrane currents, measured by using the whole-cell patch-clamp configuration, and enhanced the formation of inositol phosphates, as analysed by high performance liquid chromatography. The ATP-induced membrane current consisted of a triphasic response, carried by a fast inward current, followed by a transient outward current and a sustained inward current. Inositol tetrakisphosphate (InsP4) formation increased in the presence of ATP. The formation of the isomers Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, Ins(1,3,4,6)P4 and Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 increased significantly after 5 min stimulation with ATP. Suramin inhibited the ATP-evoked membrane currents and the ATP-induced formation of inositol tetrakisphosphate isomers concentration dependently, but did not affect the basal inositol phosphate levels in the absence of ATP. These results indicate that suramin inhibits ATP-activated cellular processes in DDT1 MF-2 vas deferens cells, most likely by acting on P2-purinoceptors.