Simultaneous addition of EGF prolongs the increase in cytosolic free calcium seen in response to bradykinin in NRK-49F cells.

The calcium-sensitive fluorescent indicator fura-2 and a microscope equipped for rapidly changing excitation wavelengths were used to look at the effects of growth factors on cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in NRK-49F cells. In these cells bradykinin induced a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i, which generally decayed to near basal [Ca2+]i within 3 minutes. The initial rise in [Ca2+]i in response to bradykinin was relatively independent of extracellular calcium; however, the decay to basal [Ca2+]i was more rapid in the absence of extracellular calcium. Measurements made on individual cells showed a heterogeneity in the response to bradykinin. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) had no effect on [Ca2+]i in NRK-49F cells when added alone in the presence of extracellular calcium. Simultaneous addition of bradykinin and EGF produced a more prolonged increase in [Ca2+]i than bradykinin alone. The prolongation was dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium and did not occur in its absence. Transient increases in [Ca2+]i occurring after the initial peak were occasionally seen in these cells. Our results indicate that there is rapid interaction between the signaling mechanisms for bradykinin and EGF. When this occurs, one effect is the transport of calcium into the cell from the extracellular environment, causing a more prolonged rise in [Ca2+]i. This effect occurs within 1 minute after combined addition of bradykinin and EGF.