Calcium mobilization and entry by thapsigargin in neuronal tumor cell line, SK-N-SH

Using fura-2 loaded neural tumour cells, SK-N-SH, we demonstrate that receptor-mediated activation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis not only causes the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores but also causes a concomitant influx of extracellular Ca2+. Thapsigargin (TG), a sesquiterpene lactone, causes a sustained elevation of intracellular Ca2+ and depletion of the inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was transient, suggesting that thapsigargin activates both intracellular mobilization and the influx of Ca2+ from extracellular space. These results are consistent with the proposal that the depletion of the inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pool serves as a signal for Ca2+ influx.