Classification of prostaglandin receptors based on coupling to signal transduction systems

A wide spectrum of prostaglandins (PG) stimulate both the production of cyclic AMP and an increase in free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) in the osteogenic osteosarcoma cell line, UMR-106-01, which has characteristics compatible with osteoblasts. Using PG-stimulated determinations of the second messengers cyclic AMP and [Ca2+]i, a method for classification of PG receptors is presented. UMR-106-01 cells demonstrate three subclasses of PG receptors. One receptor interacts with PGF2 alpha, PGD2, and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) to increase [Ca2+]i. A second receptor binds PGE2, PGE1, PGI2, PGA2 and 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha to increase [Ca2+]i by stimulation of a second separate phospholipase C pool. A third receptor accepts PGE2, PGE1, PGA2, PGI2 and to a lesser extent PGF2 alpha, PGD2 and TxB2 to increase cyclic AMP. Such a classification system may be applicable to other cells responding to multiple PGs by inducing changes in cellular second messengers.