Differences in Ca2+ mobilization induced by alpha-adrenergic agonist and phosphatidic acid in cultured hepatocytes.

In an attempt to elucidate the relationship between phosphatidylinositol breakdown and alpha-adrenergic responses, effects of phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol related metabolites on Ca2+ mobilization and glucose output in cultured hepatocytes were examined. Norepinephrine induced the net 45Ca2+ efflux from preloaded cells and stimulated glucose output via alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation, whereas phosphatidic acid caused 45Ca2+ uptake to cells and did not stimulate glucose output. Myo-inositol-monophosphate, diglyceride and arachidonic acid, which are released by phosphatidylinositol breakdown, had no effect on 45Ca2+ efflux and glucose output in cells. These results suggest that phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol related metabolites can not mimic the alpha-adrenergic actions in cultured hepatocytes.