Forskolin-induced homologous desensitization via an adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent mechanism(s) in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells.

We have reported that pretreatment of human SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cells with forskolin (Fsk; 10(-5) M) for 4 h strikingly inhibited subsequent cAMP responsiveness to a second challenge with Fsk (Fsk-induced homologous desensitization) without altering the responses to PTH or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Pretreatment with PTH acutely augmented Fsk responsiveness, despite desensitizing the cells to rechallenge with PTH. The present studies were performed to investigate the mechanism of this differential desensitization. Fsk-induced desensitization was not mimicked by 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, a Fsk analog that does not activate adenylate cyclase (AC) but does reproduce certain cAMP-independent effects of Fsk. Fsk-induced homologous desensitization was also completely blocked in a cAMP-resistant mutant SaOS-2 cell line (Ca 4A), in which protein kinase-A (PKA) is not activated by endogenous cAMP. However, pretreatment with PTH (or VIP), which induced a large increase in cAMP, did not attenuate, but, rather, increased, the subsequent cAMP response to Fsk. Potentiation by PTH was also observed in Ca 4A cells. Pretreatment of SaOS-2 cells with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml) for 12 h strikingly inhibited the initial cAMP response to Fsk, although Fsk-induced homologous desensitization was still clearly observed. Pretreatment with cholera toxin (1 microgram/ml) completely prevented Fsk-induced homologous desensitization. Combinations of maximal concentrations of Fsk plus hormones such as human PTH, human PTH-related peptide, or VIP elicited cAMP responses that were much more than additive, an effect not observed with combinations of hormones alone. We conclude that 1) Fsk-induced homologous desensitization of the AC response of SaOS-2 cells to a second challenge with Fsk is dependent upon activation of PKA; 2) one or more pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins contribute to full AC activation by Fsk, but are not involved in homologous desensitization; 3) augmentation by PTH (or VIP) pretreatment of Fsk-dependent AC activation involves an effector(s) other than PKA. These results provide further evidence that the regulation of AC responsiveness in SaOS-2 cells by PTH or VIP is complex and cannot be explained by activation of PKA alone.