Facilitation of synaptic transmission by prostaglandin D2 at synapses between NG108-15 hybrid and muscle cells.

The effect of prostaglandin (PG) D2 on neuronal functions was investigated in neuroblastoma X glioma NG108-15 hybrid cells. PGD2 caused a sustained increase in miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs) recorded from cultured striated muscle cells which had formed junctions with NG108-15 cells. PGD2 initially hyperpolarized and then depolarized NG108-15 cells. The time course of depolarization fitted well to the facilitative phase of MEPPs. The same action on synaptic transmission and membrane potentials was detected with PGF2 alpha but not with PGE1. PGD2 (10(-4)M) produced a 3-fold increase of adenylate cyclase activity in NG108-15 cell homogenates through its receptors that are distinct from those of PGE1 and PGI2. These results show that PGD2 facilitates MEPP frequency from NG108-15 cells due to depolarization, and suggest that PGD2 may act as a physiological neuromodulator for synaptic transmission in vivo.