Thrombin-promoted release of UDP-glucose from human astrocytoma cells

nucleotides, suggesting that UDP-glucose is the cognate agonist for this receptor. However, evidence for regulated release of UDP-glucose is scarce. In the present study, the occurrence of receptor-promoted release of UDP-glucose was investigated, using 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Experimental approach: UDP-glucose release and hydrolysis were measured using HPLC-based techniques. Phospholipase C activation and actin cytoskeleton reorganization were assessed by measuring inositol phosphate formation and fluorescence confocal microscopy, respectively. Key results: Thrombin and the protease-activating receptor-1 (PAR1) peptide TFLLRNPNDK (PAR1-AP) evoked the release of UDP-glucose and ATP, which was accompanied by enhanced inositol phosphate formation. Although carbachol promoted fourfold greater inositol phosphate formation than thrombin, it failed to promote nucleotide release. Thrombin-promoted nucleotide release was inhibited by BAPTA-AM, brefeldin A and cytochalasin D, and was insensitive to Pertussis toxin and PI3-kinase inhibitors. Thrombin, but not carbachol, induced actin cytoskeleton reorganization, a hallmark of Rho activation in 1321N1 cells. However, PAR-promoted UDP-glucose release was not affected by Rho kinase inhibition. Conclusions and implications: PAR1-evoked UDP-glucose release reflected a Ca2þ-dependent mechanism, engaging additional signalling independently of Gi and Rho kinase activation and requiring a functional actin cytoskeleton and Golgi structures. Our study demonstrates the occurrence of Ca2þ-dependent release of UDP-glucose from astrocytoma cells i