Endothelin-induced activation of phosphoinositide turnover, calcium mobilization, and transmitter release in cultured neurons and neurally related cell types.

Endothelin (ET)-related peptides robustly stimulated [3H]-inositol phosphate (IP) formation in cultured cerebellar granule cells, astrocytes, and C6 glioma cells. Their agonist selectivities were ET-1 = ET-2 greater than or equal to sarafotoxin S6b greater than ET-3 greater than big ET-1 for granule cells and ET-1 greater than or equal to ET-2 greater than or equal to S6b greater than big ET-1 greater than ET-3 for cerebellar astrocytes and C6 glioma cells. These effects were Ca(2+)-dependent but insensitive to antagonists of L-type Ca2+ channels and the Na+/Ca2+ antiporter. Pretreatment of cells with ET-1 or S6b induced homologous desensitization of phosphoinositide (PI) response mediated by ET receptors. Long-term pertussis toxin (PTX) treatment attenuated the phosphoinositide (PI) response in astrocytes and glioma but not in granule cells. ET-1 and its related peptides increased [Ca2+]i in C6 glioma by two distinct pathways: IP3-induced Ca2+ mobilization or receptor-operated Ca2+ influx. La3+, Mn2+, and Cd2+ inhibited the Ca2+ influx and sustained PI turnover, while Ca2+ mobilization was attenuated by phorbol ester and TMB-8. ET-induced Ca2+ influx was essential for the sustained [Ca2+]i increase and PI turnover. Homologous desensitization of [Ca2+]i increase was also noted. In cerebellar granule cells, ET evoked the release of [3H]D-aspartate from these neurons. This action appears to be dependent on PI hydrolysis and [Ca2+]i increase and modulated by protein kinase C.