Early Elemental and Ionic Changes in Cultured Cells After Stimulation with Epidermal Growth Factor

Authors

Julian E. Beesley, Wellcome Research Laboratories
Simon R. Hall, Wellcome Research Laboratories
Martin J. Page, Wellcome Research Laboratories
Karen Affleck, Wellcome Research Laboratories

Abstract

Stimulation of A43 l cells (a human vulval epidermal cell line) with 50 ng/ml of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the presence of 1. 7 mM extracellular calcium produced a sharp and sustained rise in intracellular ionic Ca2+, increased elemental Na, decreased K and a rise in Ca. In the absence of extracellular calcium, the initial Ca2+ rise remained but the sustained elevation of intracellular Ca2+ was abolished, Na and K fluxes were variable and the Ca did not change. Increased Na and decreased K was marked at 2 minutes and returned to the control value after 60 minutes. The increase in Ca was an early event. Cells stimulated with EGF showed a pronounced morphological disruption, especially the mitochondria. The response of NR6/SA3 and NR6/DC7 cells (genetically engineered rodent fibroblast cell lines) to EGF stimulation was higher than that of the A431 cells, as was the resting cytoplasmic Ca2+. Untreated NR6/SA3 and NR6/DC7 cells possessed an increased Na/K ratio when compared with A431 cells.

Recommended Citation

Beesley, Julian E.; Hall, Simon R.; Page, Martin J.; and Affleck, Karen (1995) "Early Elemental and Ionic Changes in Cultured Cells After Stimulation with Epidermal Growth Factor," Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 9: No. 1, Article 17.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol9/iss1/17