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1. In glioma C6 cells, the stimulation of P2Y receptors by ADP, ATP and UTP initiated an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, in a process that involved the release of Ca2+ from InsP(3)-sensitive store and the capacitative, extracellular Ca2+ entry. The presence of external Ca2+ was not necessary to elevate Ca(2+). 2. The rank order of potencies of nucleotide analogues in stimulating [Ca2+](i) was: 2MeSADP > ADP > 2MeSATP = 2ClATP > ATP > UTP. alpha,beta-Methylene ATP, adenosine and AMP were ineffective. 3. ADP and UTP effects were additive, while actions of ATP and UTP were not additive on [Ca2+](i) increase. Similarly, cross-desensitization between ATP and UTP but not between ADP and UTP occurred. 4. Suramin, a non-specific nucleotide receptors inhibitor, antagonized ATP-, UTP- and ADP-evoked Ca2+ responses. PPADS, a selective antagonist of the P2Y(1) receptor-generated InsP(3) accumulation, decreased ADP-initiated Ca2+ response with no effect on ATP and UTP. 5. Pertussis toxin (PTX) reduced ADP- and ATP-induced Ca2+ increases. Short-term treatment with TPA, inhibited both ATP and ADP stimulatory effects on [Ca2+](i). 6. ADP inhibited isoproterenol-induced cyclic AMP accumulation. PTX blocked this effect, but PPADS did not. 7. RT - PCR analysis revealed the molecular identity of P2Y receptors expressed by glioma C6 cells to be both P2Y(1) and P2Y(2). 8. It is concluded that both P2Y(1) and P2Y(2) receptors co-exist in glioma C6 cells. ADP acts as agonist of the first, and ATP and UTP of the second one. Both receptors are linked to phospholipase C (PLC).

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Although the mechanism of the capacitative Ca2+ entry is still a mysterious process, it has been presently accepted that it occurs through plasma membrane channel pores rather than through a carrier mechanism. As it has been proposed by Putney (Cell Calcium, 1986, 7, 1-12), Ca2+ entry is directly dependent on the state of filling of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores, i.e. it is activated by the depletion of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pool. However, the nature of the signal for activation of Ca2+ entry is still unknown. The biphasic capacitative Ca2+ entry involves inositol phosphate system and is ubiquitous in all nonexcitable cells. We have shown that glioma C6 cells belong to such type of cells and are characterized by a typical capacitative Ca2+ entry pathway. The characteristics of this Ca2+ influx is summarized and the hypotheses about its mechanism of activation are discussed.

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In glioma C6 cells, extracellular ATP generates inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), indicating the presence of purinergic receptors coupled to phosphoinositide turnover. To identify the effect of ATP (acting via InsP3) and thapsigargin (acting without InsP3 production as a specific inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase) on intracellular Ca2+ pools we used video imaging of Fura-2 loaded into single, intact glioma C6 cells. It has been shown that ATP and thapsigargin initiate Ca2+ response consistent with the capacitative model of Ca2+ influx. When the cells were stimulated by increasing concentrations of ATP (1, 10, 50 and 100 microM) the graded, quantal Ca2+ response was observed. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+ thapsigargin and ionomycin-releasable Ca2+ pools are overlapping, demonstrating that Ca2+ stores are located mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum. After maximal Ca2+ mobilization by ATP, thapsigargin causes further increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, whereas emptying of thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular stores prevents any further Ca2+ release by ATP. Thus, the thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular pool of Ca2+ in glioma C6 cells seems to be larger than that sensitive to InsP3. Two hypothesis to explain this result are proposed. One postulates a presence of two different Ca2+ pools, sensitive and insensitive to InsP3 and both discharged by thapsigargin, and the other, the same intracellular pool of Ca2+ completely emptying by thapsigargin and only partially by InsP3. These results may contribute to understanding the mechanism of Ca2+ signalling mediated by ATP, the most potent intracellular Ca2+ mobilizing agonist in all types of glial cells.

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The effects of 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (DBHQ) and thimerosal on phosphatidylserine synthesis by the base exchange reaction and on calcium mobilization in intact glioma C6 cells were compared with that of thapsigargin, a selective inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase. It has been found that all these agents inhibit phosphatidylserine synthesis by 70%, but their effectiveness are different. The data show that this inhibition is caused by Ca2+ depletion of the endoplasmic reticulum, indicating that phosphatidylserine synthesis requires high concentration of Ca2+ within this structure. On this basis and on literature data, a new model for the localization of the serine base exchange enzyme in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane is proposed.

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The effect of sphingosine on intracellular calcium signalling in glioma C6 cells was studied with Fura-2 video imaging technique. Sphingosine had a direct effect on changes in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration only when applied at high concentration of 100 microM, causing the cytosolic Ca2+ level to rise. However, at a much lower concentration of 15 microM sphingosine diminished calcium responses triggered by thapsigargin (a specific inhibitor of calcium pump in the endoplasmic reticulum) and ionomycin (calcium ionophore). Since responses to thapsigargin and ionomycin were blocked in Ca(2+)-free medium, we postulate that sphingosine is acting on the intracellular calcium stores. Additionally, sphingosine (at 15 microM and 100 microM) markedly decreases thapsigargin-induced sustained elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, indicating its inhibitory effect on thapsigargin-evoked Ca2+ influx. Sphingosine is a known inhibitor of protein kinase C and the involvement of this enzyme is postulated in the modulatory effects of sphingosine on intracellular calcium dynamics.

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Phosphatidylserine (PS) synthesis was studied in glioma C6 cells with [14C]serine and in the presence or absence of the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). It was found that incubation of the cells with 10 nM or 100 nM TPA for 1 h inhibited PS formation by 30% and 60%, respectively. Long-term (18 h) treatment of the cells with 100 nM TPA diminished PS formation and further addition of TPA to down-regulated cells did not affect PS synthesis. The data show that the changes in PS synthesis can be associated with alterations in morphology of cell and the actin cytoskeleton organization. The role of protein kinase C in this process is discussed.

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Glioma C6 cells treated with 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, TPA (10 nM and 100 nM) manifested slow increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), dependent upon both Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and Ca2+ entry, and ranging from 50 to 500 nM in different cells. The effect of TPA was abolished by the down-regulation procedure and by protein kinase C inhibitors, such as staurosporine (100 nM), suramin (100 microM), and sphingosine (100 microM), pointing to a role of protein kinase C (PKC) in this process. On the other hand, thapsigargin (100 nM), a selective inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, produced a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i (up to 800 nM). This increase consisted of a transient initial phase followed by sustained elevation in [Ca2+]i, typical of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and of Ca2+ entry, respectively. However, when the cells were exposed to TPA (100 nM) prior to thapsigargin (100 nM), then thapsigargin produced only a transient rise in [Ca2+]i. We suggest that TPA, a PKC activator, affects thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ entry, probably by PKC-mediated changes in cytoskeleton structures.

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Concentration of free cytoplasmic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells loaded with fura-2 was measured in single cells applying a video imaging system. In resting cells [Ca2+]i amounted to 60-340 nM and was increased after addition of 10 mM D-glucose or D-2-deoxyglucose by 80-200 nM. This increase occurred within 30-60 s following addition of the sugars and lasted for several minutes. Pretreatment of the cells with thapsigargin resulted in a much smaller [Ca2+]i increase after addition of glucose or deoxyglucose and, vice versa, thapsigargin added after the sugars mobilized less Ca2+ than when added before. A possible relation of the [Ca2+]i rise evoked by glucose and deoxyglucose to the Crabtree effect is discussed.

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Phosphatidylserine synthesis was studied in glioma C6 cells with [14C]serine and in the presence or absence of agents which increase the level of [Ca2+]i. It was found that glutamate and acetylcholine inhibited this synthesis by up to 40%, whereas thapsigargin and the ionophore A23187 inhibited by up to 70%. The inhibitory effect of thapsigargin and the A23187 was observed in Ca(2+)-free medium. The data show that the inhibition of this synthesis is caused by the Ca(2+)-depletion from endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting that the synthesis of phosphatidylserine occurs on the luminal side of these structures and can be regulated by transmembrane signaling systems.

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The immunity system condition was studied in 118 patients with breast cancer of stage III who received combination chemotherapy: 91 patients--according to the Cooper scheme and 27 patients--according to CMF scheme. The reaction of lymphocyte blast transformation (LBT) was determined by three mitogens: phytohemagglutinin (PHA "O"), PHA "D" and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The levels of Ig A, G, M were also determined. A decrease in immunological indices of different degree was observed in all patients. LBT was proved to have a high response to phytohemagglutinin "O" and it is recommended for immunological investigations. No significant changes in the immunological state of LPS were revealed.

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Immunologic response was studied in 91 cases of stage III breast cancer who received a CFMVP polychemotherapy. 23 patients were given decaris for immunostimulation. All cases showed a significant decrease in cellular immunity. CFMVP-treated patients showing a decrease of 30% and more should receive 300 mg of decaris twice a week for 3 weeks.

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