Interaction of vasoactive intestinal peptide with a cell line (HeLa) derived from human carcinoma of the cervix: binding to specific sites and stimulation of adenylate cyclase.

The binding of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its effect on cyclic AMP production were assessed in HeLa cells. The binding of [125I]VIP is a moderately rapid process, reversible, saturable, specific and dependent on temperature. Virtually no inactivation of the peptide is observed after 2 h of exposure to the cells. At 15 degrees C, the binding data obtained at steady state are compatible with the existence of two classes of binding sites: a first class with a Kd of 2.4 nM and low binding capacity (1.5 X 10(5) sites/cell) and a second class with a Kd of 100 nM and a high binding capacity (4.9 X 10(6) sites/cell). Secretin is eight times less potent than VIP in competing with 125I VIP but glucagon, insulin and somatostatin are inactive. VIP-induced stimulation of cyclic AMP production depends on time and temperature and is potentiated by a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. A concentration of VIP as low as 10(-10) M is able to stimulate adenylate cyclase. Half-maximal stimulation is observed at 10(-9) M and maximal stimulation (4 times above basal levels) at 10(-8) M VIP. Secretin is an agonist of VIP but exhibits a 1000 times lower potency with respect to adenylate cyclase activation. Glucagon, insulin and somatostatin do not show any effect. The presence of high-affinity binding sites and high sensitivity and specificity of adenylate cyclase for VIP in HeLa cells provide a good model to study the role of this peptide on cell proliferation and differentiation.