Neuromedin B binds with high affinity, elevates cytosolic calcium and stimulates the growth of small-cell lung cancer cell lines.

Previously, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptors were identified on small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells and GRP functioned as a SCLC autocrine growth factor. Here the effects of neuromedin B (NMB) on SCLC cells were investigated. 125I-Tyr0]NMB bound with high affinity to three of seven SCLC cell lines examined. 125I-Tyr0]NMB bound to SCLC cell line NCI-H209 and NCI-H345 in a time-dependent and reversible manner. 125I-Tyr0]NMB bound with high affinity (Kd = 1 nM) to a single class of sites (Bmax = 800/cell). Specific 125I-Tyr0]NMB binding was inhibited with high affinity by NMB (IC50 = 1 nM) and moderate affinity by bombesin, GRP and D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]substance P (APTTL]SP) but not GRP1-16 (IC50 = 50, 100, 1,000 and > 10,000 nM, respectively). In Fura 2 AM loaded NCI-H345 cells, NMB elevated cytosolic calcium in a concentration-dependent manner. NMB (10 nM) elevated the cytosolic calcium from 150 to 180 nM and calcium was released from intracellular pools. The increase in cytosolic calcium caused by 10 nM NMB was reversed by 1 microM APTTL]SP but not 1 microM D-Phe6]bombesin6-13methylester, a GRP receptor antagonist. Also, NMB stimulated the clonal growth of NCI-H209 and NCI-H345 in a concentration-dependent manner. The increase in the clonal growth caused by NMB was reversed by 1 microM APTTL]SP. These data suggest that NMB receptors may regulate the proliferation of some SCLC cells.