Phosphoinositide signalling in human neuroblastoma cells: biphasic effect of Li+ on the level of the inositolphosphate second messengers.

Lithium has a biphasic effect of the agonist-dependent accumulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. These effects consist of a transient reduction, followed by a long-lasting increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 as compared to controls. The Li+ effects are dose dependent, and were observed at concentrations used in the treatment of bipolar disorders, and thus may have therapeutic implications. The mechanism of the Li+ effect on Ins(1,4,5)P3 accumulation requires further investigation. The transient reduction of Ins(1,4,5)P3 was observed under conditions where Li+ causes only a moderate increase in the inositol mono- and bi-phosphates. Supplementation with exogenous inositol had no effect on the level of Ins(1,4,5)P3, indicating that the mechanism of the Li(+)-dependent reduction of Ins(1,4,5)P3 is not due to inositol depletion. Li+ did not interfere with degradation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 after receptor-blockage with atropine, suggesting that Li+ has no direct effect on the Ins(1,4,5)P3 metabolizing enzymes. A direct effect of Li+ on the phospholipase C is also unlikely. Entry of Ca2+ into the cells is an important factor, which affects agonist-stimulated accumulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3, as well as absolute values of Li(+)-dependent increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3; however, it is not essential for the manifestation of Li+ effects. Our results also show that manifestation of Li+ effects in human neuroblastoma cells requires the stimulation of muscarinic receptors and activation of PLCs, PKCs, and/or that other staurosporine/H-7/GF 109203X-sensitive protein kinases are involved in the regulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 during the plateau phase of ACh-stimulation. We also suggest an important role for these enzymes in the Li(+)-dependent elevation of Ins(1,4,5)P3.