Presence of NK1 receptors on a mucosal-like mast cell line, RBL-2H3 cells

Reverse transcription--polymerase chain reaction of mRNA from rat RBL-2H3 cells yielded a 316 base pair band consistent with that predicted for the neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor. Saturation and competition binding with 125I-labeled Bolton-Hunter substance P, substance P fragments, and a series of selective tachykinin receptor agonists and antagonists demonstrated that RBL-2H3 cells express high affinity binding sites for substance P on their surfaces with the kinetic and pharmacological properties of NK1 receptors. The pharmacology of these 125I-labeled substance P binding sites was (from most to least potent) [Sar9,Met(O2)11]substance P > substance P 4-11 >> GR82334 << MEN 10,376. However, substance P 1-4, substance P 8-11, substance P 9-11, and [Trp7, beta-Ala8]neurokinin A 4-10 failed to compete for binding. The metabolically stable NK1 receptor agonist, [Sar9,Met(O2)11] substance P, caused a 49% increase in 5-hydroxytryptamine release above basal levels. The results demonstrate the presence of functional NK1 receptors on RBL-2H3 cells, a mucosal-like mast cell line.