Nitric oxide reduces depolarization-induced calcium influx in PC12 cells by a cyclic GMP-mediated mechanism

The present study was undertaken to determine whether nitric oxide (NO) alters voltage-dependent changes in intracellular calcium levels ([Ca²⁺]_i) using PC12 cells as a neuronal model. The addition to PC12 cells of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), which spontaneously releases NO in aqueous solution, significantly inhibited the KCl-stimulated increase in [Ca²⁺]_i. The inhibitory action of SNP was concentration-dependent and was mimicked by hydroxylamine which also generates NO. Both L-type (nifedipine sensitive) and N-type (ω-conotoxin sensitive) voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels are present in PC12 cells and may be affected by NO-generating agents. In contrast, SNP did not alter [Ca²⁺]_i in response to purinergic receptor stimulation. Preincubation of PC12 cells with 8-bromo-cyclic GMP also inhibited the KCl-stimulated increase in [Ca²⁺]_i. In addition, inclusion of the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, LY83583, blocked the inhibitory action of SNP on the voltage-sensitive changes in [Ca²⁺]_i. The results suggest that NO selectively inhibits voltage-dependent calcium influx in neuronal cells through a cyclic GMP-dependent mechanism.