Calcitonin gene-related peptide elevates calcium and polarizes membrane potential in MG-63 cells by both cAMP-independent and -dependent mechanisms

Published data suggest that the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) can stimulate osteoblastic bone formation; however, interest has focused on activation of cAMP-dependent signaling pathways in osteogenic cells without full consideration of the importance of cAMP-independent signaling. We have now examined the effects of CGRP on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]int) and membrane potential ( Em) in preosteoblastic human MG-63 cells by single-cell fluorescent confocal analysis using fluo 4-AM-fura red-AM and bis(1,3-dibarbituric acid)-trimethine oxanol [DiBAC4( 3 )] bis-oxonol assays. CGRP produced a two-stage change in [Ca2+]int: a rapid transient peak and a secondary sustained increase. Both responses were dose dependent with an EC50 of ∼0.30 nM, and the maximal effect (initially ∼3-fold over basal levels) was observed at 20 nM. The initial phase was sensitive to inhibition of Ca2+ mobilization with thapsigargin, whereas the secondary phase was eliminated only by blocking transmembrane Ca2+ influx with verapamil or inhibiting cAMP-dependent signaling with the Rp isomer of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp-cAMPS). These data suggest that CGRP initially stimulates Ca2+ discharge from intracellular stores by a cAMP-independent mechanism and subsequently stimulates Ca2+ influx through L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels by a cAMP-dependent mechanism. In addition, CGRP dose-dependently polarized cellular Em, with maximal effect at 20 nM and an EC50 of 0.30 nM. This effect was attenuated with charybdotoxin (−20%) or glyburide (glibenclamide; −80%), suggesting that Em hyperpolarization is induced by both Ca2+-activated and ATP-sensitive K+ channels. Thus CGRP signals strongly by both cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent signaling pathways in preosteoblastic human MG-63 cells.