Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: ClC4

Title: Serotonin release and cell proliferation are under the control of alpha-bungarotoxin-sensitive nicotinic receptors in small-cell lung carcinoma cell lines.

Authors: A Codignola, P Tarroni, M G Cattaneo, L M Vicentini, F Clementi, E Sher

Journal, date & volume: FEBS Lett., 1994 Apr 11 , 342, 286-90

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8150086

Abstract
Neuronal type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs) have recently been identified in small-cell lung carcinoma. We here show that both nicotine and cytisine stimulate [3H]serotonin release in a dose-dependent manner; this effect is antagonized by alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha Bgtx) and alpha-conotoxin MI (alpha Ctx). Nicotine and cytisine stimulate in vitro SCLC proliferation and this effect is completely antagonized by both alpha Bgtx and alpha Ctx. By PCR analysis, we demonstrate the presence in SCLC of both the alpha 7 and the beta 2 nAchR subunits mRNA. These data show that nAchRs play an important role in the biology of SCLC, and that alpha Bgtx-sensitive receptors of the alpha 7 subtype are crucially involved in both the secretagogue and mitogenic effects of nicotinic agonists.