Neurotransmitter Systems in Morphologically Undifferentiated Human Y‐79 Retinoblastoma Cells: Studies of GABAergic, Glycinergic, and β‐Adrenergic Systems

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Abstract
Elements of three neurotransmitter systems were investigated in morphologically undifferentiated human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells in suspension culture. Specific γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake, GABA binding, and glycine binding were absent from these cells, although the cells had been shown to exhibit an active uptake and release of [3H]glycine. Binding and competition studies using both α-and β-adrenergic ligands indicated the presence of a β-adrenergic receptor. This finding was confirmed by treatment of the cells with β-agonists in competition with a β-antagonist and with an α-antagonist; the level of cyclic AMP was competitively stimulated. Therefore, human Y-79 cells in suspension culture contain β-adrenergic receptors, and not glycinergic or GABAergic ones. Thus, the Y-79 cells may be of use in studying the factors involved in developmental regulation of neurotransmitter function.