Uncoupling of receptor-mediated cellular responses by ionic lithium

Abstract

The propensity of ionic lithium to interfere with the coupling of receptors to guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) has only recently been investigated using rat cortical membranes. In the present study we have used intact isolated osteoclasts to investigate lithium-induced uncoupling of the receptor-mediated actions of calcitonin. All actions of calcitonin on the osteoclast were abolished by ionic lithium. We believe that the cation prevents signal transduction by inhibiting G protein-receptor interaction, the first step in intracellular signalling.