Differential requirements for Ca2+ concentrations for catecholamine release and biosynthesis in isolated bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

Differential effects of [Ca2+] on catecholamine release and biosynthesis in isolated bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were investigated. Carbamylcholine, an agonist of the nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, or Na+ deprivation in the incubation medium, stimulated catecholamine release and biosynthesis in these cells. The concentrations of extracellular [Ca2+] which stimulate catecholamine biosynthesis were less than those which stimulate catecholamine release. An increase in intracellular levels of free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) induced by Na+ deprivation was dependent on extracellular [Ca2+]. These results indicate that, in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, catecholamine biosynthesis is regulated by lower levels of [Ca2+]i than is catecholamine release.