Staurosporine inhibits protein kinase C and prevents phorbol ester-mediated leukotriene D4 receptor desensitization in RBL-1 cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of staurosporine on phorbol-myristate acetate (PMA)-induced activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and the desensitization of leukotriene D4 (LTD4)-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells. Staurosporine, one of the most potent PKC inhibitors known to date, markedly inhibited partially purified PKC from RBL-1 cells with an IC50 of 3 nM. Exposure of RBL-1 cells to PMA resulted in inhibition of LTD4-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization. However, prior treatment of the cells with staurosporine completely prevented PMA-induced desensitization of LTD4-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization. This reversal of Ca2+ desensitization by staurosporine was dose dependent with an IC50 of 0.1 microM. Treatment of RBL-1 cells with PMA resulted in translocation and activation of PKC from the cytosol to the membrane fraction. Pretreatment of RBL-1 cells with staurosporine inhibited the PMA-induced activation of PKC in the membrane fraction. The inhibition of PKC activity by staurosporine was time and dose dependent with an IC50 of 0.9 microM. These results show that PMA-induced heterologous desensitization is mediated by PKC and staurosporine prevented this process by directly inhibiting PKC in intact RBL-1 cells.

Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal peptides. Substrates for ubiquitin activating enzyme

The carboxyl terminus of ubiquitin is activated in the presence of ATP to enter the ubiquitin cycle in cells. Peptides corresponding to the COOH-terminal region of ubiquitin were synthesized to investigate their effects on the ATP/ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway. Their activities in the PPi exchange assay with ubiquitin activating enzyme (E1) were proportional to their length. The hexapeptide Ac-Leu-Arg-Leu-Arg-Gly-Gly reacted with ATP to form an enzyme-adenylate-hexapeptide complex and at high concentrations was 20-25% as active as human ubiquitin in the PPi exchange assay with E1. However, the hexapeptide was not transferred to the sulfhydryl "thiol" site on E1. In addition, the COOH-terminal peptides did not support the degradation of 125I-bovine serum albumin in the reticulocyte lysate system. A nonhomologous peptide of equivalent length was inactive in all assays. Thus, synthetic COOH-terminal peptide(s) of ubiquitin can partially substitute for ubiquitin in its reactions with E1 but do not support subsequent steps of the energy-dependent proteolytic pathway. These results show that it may be possible to design small molecules that either serve as substrates or inhibitors for other specific steps in ubiquitin-dependent pathways.

Leukotriene D4-induced activation of protein kinase C in rat basophilic leukemia cells

We studied the subcellular distribution of protein kinase C (PKC) in the particulate and cytosolic fractions of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells treated with leukotriene D4 (LTD4) and compared these results with those of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Consistent with the earlier reports, treatment of RBL-1 cells with PMA resulted in a time- and dose-dependent translocation of PKC from cytosolic to the particulate fractions, sustained for at least 10 min. When RBL-1 cells were treated with LTD4, a small, transient decrease in PKC activity in cytosolic fraction was observed within 7.5 s after LTD4 treatment. This was accompanied by a significant increase of PKC in the particulate fraction. However, at 15 and 30 s, both particulate and cytosolic PKC activities were increased with LTD4 treatment. The activation induced by LTD4 was dose- and time-dependent with maximal effects occurring within 30 s, declining at the later time points. Pretreatment of the cells with 2(R)-hydroxy-3(S)-carboxyethylthio-3-[2-(8-phenyloctyl,pheny l]propanoic acid (SK&F 104353), a high affinity specific LTD4 receptor antagonist, and also with staurosporine, a potent inhibitor of PKC, completely inhibited the LTD4-induced activation of PKC both in the particulate and cytosolic fractions. These results suggest that activation of PKC by LTD4 is different from that elicited by PMA. The ability of SK&F 104353 to block LTD4-induced activation of PKC further suggests that stimulation of PKC might be an important intermediate step in the signal transduction mechanism of the LTD4 receptor in RBL-1 cells.

Vasopressin induces V1 receptors to activate phosphatidylinositol- and phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C and stimulates the release of arachidonic acid by at least two pathways in the smooth muscle cell line, A-10

The rat thoracic aortic smooth muscle cell line, A-10, expresses vasopressin receptors of the V1 subtype. Vasopressin treatment of these cells stimulated the release of arachidonic acid and the formation of diacylglycerol and phosphocholine. These responses to vasopressin were inhibited by the V1-specific antagonist SK&F 100273, indicating that these were receptor-mediated phenomena. The mechanisms by which V1 receptors mediate arachidonic acid release appeared to be unaffected by cycloheximide or actinomycin D, suggesting that the release is independent of protein and RNA synthesis. The V1 receptors also appeared to be coupled to a phospholipase C which can hydrolyze phosphatidylcholine, a possible source of the released arachidonic acid. Phosphocholine and diacylglycerol were also generated. The release of arachidonic acid, phosphocholine, or diacylglycerol was not affected by prior treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (islet-activating protein). Thus, the release of these second messengers is not mediated by the guanine nucleotide-binding protein Gi or other pertussis toxin-sensitive substrates. We conclude that V1 receptors induce the release of arachidonic acid and the formation of diacylglycerol and phosphocholine via the activation of both a phosphatidylinositol- and phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C.

Tumour necrosis factor (cachectin) induces phospholipase A2 activity and synthesis of a phospholipase A2-activating protein in endothelial cells

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is an important mediator of endotoxin-induced vascular collapse and other inflammatory reactions. Eicosanoids have been implicated in the pathogeensis of these responses. In order to explore further the potential interactions between TNF and eicosanoid metabolism in eliciting vascular responses, we studied the effects of TNF on the bovine endothelial cell line CPAE. TNF induced cellular retraction observed by light microscope. This morphological change was monitored by the passage of iodinated protein A between adjacent cells and by release of [3H]arachidonic acid metabolites from cells. Both the morphological and functional responses were abrogated by inhibition of eicosanoid synthesis with BW755c. The release of [3H]arachidonic acid metabolites appeared to be mediated by a transient increase in phospholipase A2 activity. Phospholipase C activity was not affected by TNF. The maximal increase in phospholipase A2 activity occurred at 5 min following the addition of TNF. Phospholipase A2 activation, [3H]arachidonic acid-metabolite synthesis and passage of iodinated protein A, required both RNA and protein synthesis and were associated with an increase in the synthesis of a recently described phospholipase A2-activating protein. The Bordetella pertussis toxin, islet-activating protein, also inhibited the increase in phospholipase A2 activity, the release of [3H]arachidonic acid metabolites and the passage of iodinated protein A, suggesting that the TNF receptor-ligand interaction resulting in cellular retraction, phospholipase A2 activation and eicosanoid synthesis, is coupled through the Ni guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in these cells.

Tumorigenicity of the cyc- variant of the S49 murine lymphoma deficient in the Gs-alpha subunit of adenylate cyclase

S49 cyc- lymphoma cells contain a mutation resulting in loss of a functional guanine nucleotide regulatory protein rendering their adenylate cyclase refractory to most stimuli. S49 wild-type and cyc- clones were used in the present study to investigate the possible association of altered cAMP metabolism with tumorigenicity and metastatic potential. The S49 clones were implanted i.v., i.p., and intracerebrally in both athymic nude mice and syngeneic, immunocompetent BALB/c mice. Both S49 clones gave rise to tumors when inoculated into athymic mice, and no differences were observed in the tumorigenicity or metastatic potential of S49 wild-type and cyc- cells. Implantation of S49 clones in syngeneic BALB/c mice gave rise to few tumors except when administered intracerebrally, where wild-type cells were more tumorigenic than cyc- cells. This raises the possibility of differences in immunogenicity between the S49 clones. Analysis of cell lines derived from tumors grown in athymic mice showed that they retained the phenotype of the S49 clones used for inoculations. The results indicate that, despite differences in adenylate cyclase responsiveness, S49 wild-type and cyc- cells are both highly tumorigenic and metastatic.

Leukotriene D4-induced homologous desensitization of calcium mobilization in rat basophilic leukemia cells

Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated that RBL-1 cells express membrane receptors for leukotriene (LT)D4 and that agonist stimulation of these receptors results in mobilization of intracellular calcium ([Ca++]i). We have used this LTD4 receptor-mediated event to examine the effects of homologous desensitization in RBL-1 cells. Prior exposure of RBL-1 cells to LTD4 resulted in a 40% reduction in the amount of maximal [Ca++]i mobilization. This desensitization was concentration- and time-dependent, with an EC50 of 1 to 3 nM and with 50% of the desensitization occurring after 7.5 min of pretreatment. SKF 104353 (100 nM), a high affinity, LTD4-receptor antagonist, blocked completely LTD4-induced desensitization of RBL-1 cells. The LTD4-induced desensitization was stereospecific, as the (5R,6S)-enantiomer of LTD4 was at least 100 times less potent than LTD4. Pretreatment of RBL-1 cells with LTD4 did not alter the ability of thrombin or ATP to induce [Ca++]i mobilization, suggesting that the desensitization was of the "homologous" type. The density of [3H]LTD4 receptors in RBL-1 cell membranes was decreased 23% by prior treatment of RBL-1 cells with LTD4. These results demonstrate that the [Ca++]i mobilization induced by LTD4 can be desensitized as a result of prior exposure to LTD4 and that the LTD4 receptor and/or second messenger systems can be specifically down-regulated.

Leukotriene D4 receptor-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositide and mobilization of calcium in sheep tracheal smooth muscle cells

A sheep tracheal smooth muscle primary culture cell system was developed to characterize leukotriene D4 (LTD4) receptor-mediated biochemical and pharmacological effects. [3H]LTD4 binding to the enriched plasma membrane receptor was specific, stereoselective and saturable. LTE4 and high affinity receptor antagonists bound to the receptors with a rank-order potency that was expected from previous smooth muscle contraction studies. In the [3H]myoinositol labeled cells, LTD4 and LTE4 induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis. The biosynthesis of [3H]inositol-trisphosphate was rapid and the induction of biosynthesis of [3H]inositol-monophosphate by LTs was stereoselective and specific and was inhibited specifically by a receptor antagonist, SKF 104353. In the fura-2 loaded smooth muscle cells, LTD4 and LTE4 induced transient intracellular Ca++ mobilization. The fura-2/Ca++ transient was stereoselective and specific and was inhibited by receptor antagonist, SKF 104353. These results suggest that the cultured sheep tracheal smooth muscle cells have plasma membrane receptors for LTD4. These receptors were coupled to a phospholipase C that, when activated by agonists, induced hydrolysis of inositol containing phospholipids. The hydrolysis products, e.g. diacylglycerol and inositol-trisphosphate, may serve as intracellular messengers that trigger or contribute to the contractile effect in sheep tracheal smooth muscle.

Selective purification of cardiac myosin by a high-performance salicylate affinity column

The cardiac muscle proteins, myosin and actin, were purified in one step using a salicylate-silica affinity column. The affinity columns were prepared by coupling sodium salicylate via its hydroxyl group to an Altex Ultraffinity-EP column. Crude detergent extracts from guinea pig hearts were passed through the column and the myosin-actin complex was then eluted with excess free salicylate or high salt. The affinity of cardiac myosin for immobilized salicylate was unique as myosin heavy chain from guinea pig leg muscle detergent extracts could not be purified by this procedure. Commercially purified rabbit leg muscle myosin also appeared to have no interaction with the salicylate affinity column, suggesting that the column is specific for cardiac myosin.

Expression and accurate processing of yeast penta-ubiquitin in Escherichia coli

An expression vector (pSJyub-5) was constructed which contained five repeats of the "yeast ubiquitin gene" regulated by a heat-inducible lambda PL promoter. The vector, when expressed in Escherichia coli, produced a penta-ubiquitin of approximately 42 kDa. Purified penta-ubiquitin was found to be as active as the human mono-ubiquitin in the in vitro ATP/ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic assay of the reticulocyte lysate, indicating that the expressed gene product was recognized by the enzymes involved in the ATP/ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway. The inability of penta-ubiquitin to act as a substrate in the pyrophosphate exchange reaction with the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 suggested that it had a carboxyl-terminal Asn, in agreement with the nucleotide sequence. In E. coli, the expressed penta-ubiquitin was processed correctly to mono-ubiquitin. The fidelity of processing in E. coli was confirmed by the following observations. The amino acid compositions of the processed mono-ubiquitin and human ubiquitin were similar. The 1H NMR spectrum of peaks representing amide hydrogens of the carboxyl-terminal Arg-74, Gly-75, and Gly-76 of the processed mono-ubiquitin was identical with that of human ubiquitin. The immunoreactivity of processed mono-ubiquitin and human ubiquitin against polyclonal antibodies that recognized epitope(s) only on the carboxyl terminus of ubiquitin were similar. The human and processed mono-ubiquitin were equally active in degrading 125I-bovine serum albumin in the ATP/ubiquitin-dependent in vitro proteolytic assay with reticulocyte lysates. In the pyrophosphate exchange assay with isolated ubiquitin activating enzyme E1, they were also equally reactive, confirming that the expressed and processed ubiquitin contained an intact carboxyl-terminal Gly-76. Purified penta-ubiquitin should prove to be a useful substrate for identifying and isolating processing enzyme(s) involved in the ATP/ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway.

Purification of topoisomerase II from amsacrine-resistant P388 leukemia cells. Evidence for two forms of the enzyme

Topoisomerase II was purified from an amsacrine-resistant mutant of P388 leukemia. A procedure has been developed which allows the rapid purification of nearly homogeneous enzyme in quantities sufficient for enzyme studies or production of specific antisera. The purified topoisomerase II migrated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as two bands with apparent molecular masses of 180 (p180) and 170 kDa (p170); both proteins unknotted P4 DNA in an ATP-dependent manner and displayed amsacrine-stimulated covalent attachment to DNA. Staphylococcus V8 protease cleavage patterns of p170 and p180 showed distinct differences. Specific polyclonal antibodies to either p170 or p180 recognized very selectively the form of the enzyme used to generate the antibodies. Immunoblotting with these specific antibodies showed that both p180 and p170 were present in cells lysed immediately in boiling sodium dodecyl sulfate. Comparison of the purified topoisomerase II from amsacrine-resistant P388 with that from amsacrine-sensitive P388 demonstrated that each cell type contained both p180 and p170; however, the relative amounts of the two proteins were consistently different in the two cell types. The data strongly suggest that p170 is not a proteolytic fragment of p180. Thus, P388 cells appear to contain two distinct forms of topoisomerase II.

Antitumor activity of bis(diphenylphosphino)alkanes, their gold(I) coordination complexes, and related compounds

Bisphosphines related to bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) and their gold complexes are described that are active in a spectrum of transplantable tumor models. When administered ip on days 1-5 at its maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of 40 mumol/kg, dppe reproducibly gives 100% increase in life span (ILS) in mice bearing ip P388 leukemia. Coordination of chlorogold(I) to each phosphine in dppe gave a complex that had similar activity but at a much lower dose level than dppe; the MTD for the gold(I) complex was 7 mumol/kg. Among other metal complexes of dppe, the Au(III) complex was active (greater than 50% ILS) whereas Ag(I), Ni(II), Pt(II), Pd(II), and Rh(I) complexes were inactive. Among dppe analogues, replacement of phenyl groups with ethyl or benzyl groups resulted in inactivity for both ligands and the corresponding gold complexes whereas substitution with cyclohexyl or heterocyclic ring systems yielded ligands and/or gold complexes with antitumor activity. Among substituted-phenyl dppe and dppe(AuCl)2 analogues, 3-fluoro, 4-fluoro, perdeuterio, 4-methylthio, and 2-methylthio analogues were active; 4-methyl, 3-methyl, 4-methoxy, 4-dimethylamino, and 4-trifluoromethyl analogues were marginal or inactive. Analogues in which the ethane bridge of dppe or dppe(AuCl)2 was varied between one and six carbons, unsaturated or substituted, revealed that activity was maximal with ethane or cis-ethylene. Compounds with good P388 activity were also active in other animal tumor models.

Regulation of beta-adrenoceptor number and subtype in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by sodium butyrate

In mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, the glucocorticoid dexamethasone has been shown to promote a switch in beta-adrenoceptor subtype expression from beta 1 to beta 2 and to increase the total number of beta-adrenoceptors. The present study demonstrates that sodium butyrate also modulates beta-adrenoceptor expression in these cells. Incubation of preadipocytes with 2-10 mM butyrate for 24-48 h promoted a dose- and time-dependent switch in beta-adrenoceptor subtype from a near equal mixture of beta 1 and beta 2 to greater than 85% beta 2 and caused an approximate doubling of the receptor number. beta-Adrenoceptors were assayed in membranes prepared from 3T3-L1 cells using the radiolabeled antagonist [125I]iodocyanopindolol and the beta 2-selective antagonist ICI 118.551. Other short chain acids were not as effective as butyrate in promoting changes in beta-adrenoceptor expression. Cycloheximide (1.0 microgram/ml) inhibited the effects of butyrate on both beta-adrenoceptor subtype and number. Alterations in beta-adrenoceptor phenotype promoted by either butyrate or dexamethasone were functionally correlated with cAMP accumulation in these cells. Comparison of the effects of butyrate and dexamethasone on beta-adrenoceptor expression suggests that these two agents regulate beta-adrenoceptors by different mechanisms.

Inhibition of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C by manoalide

Manoalide is a novel sesterterpenoid which has previously been shown to be a potent inhibitor of venom phospholipases A2. To determine whether manoalide inhibited other phospholipases, the sensitivity of phosphoinsitide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) to inactivation by manoalide was examined using crude cytosolic PI-PLC and a PI-PLC purified to homogeneity from guinea pig uterus cytosol (PI-PLC I). Manoalide inhibited both cytosolic and purified PI-PLC I in a concentration-dependent fashion, exhibiting an IC50 of 3-6 microM. Inactivation of PI-PLC I was calcium- and pH-dependent, with greater inactivation occurring at alkaline pH. Manoalide inhibited hydrolysis of all three phosphoinositides by purified PI-PLC I. The substrate kinetics of PI-PLC I suggest that manoalide does not inhibit purified PI-PLC I by simple competitive or noncompetitive inhibition. Enzyme activity was not recovered after dialysis of manoalide-treated PI-PLC I, indicating that inactivation of PI-PLC I was irreversible. To determine whether manoalide inhibited PI-PLC in cells, the effects of manoalide on norepinephrine (NE)-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis and calcium mobilization were investigated in a smooth muscle-like cell line, DDT1MF-2. Manoalide inhibited NE-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1-phosphate formation in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 for inhibition of inositol 1-phosphate formation was 1.5 microM. Manoalide also inhibited NE-induced calcium transients in DDT1MF-2 cells, exhibiting an IC50 of 2 microM. These data suggest that inhibition of PI-PLC may account, in part, for the anti-inflammatory actions of manoalide.

Purification and characterization of a phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C from guinea pig uterus. Phosphorylation by protein kinase C in vivo

Two peaks of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) activity were resolved when guinea pig uterus cytosolic proteins were chromatographed on a DEAE-Sepharose column. The first peak of enzyme activity eluting from the DEAE-Sepharose column (PI-PLC I) was further purified to homogeneity, whereas the second peak of enzyme activity was enriched 300-fold. PI-PLC I migrated as a 62-kDa protein on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Antibodies prepared against PI-PLC I failed to react with PI-PLC II. PI-PLC I hydrolyzed all three phosphoinositides, exhibiting a greater Vmax for phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate greater than phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate greater than phosphatidylinositol. Hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol was calcium-dependent, whereas significant hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate occurred in the presence of 2.5 mM EGTA. At physiological concentrations of calcium, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate were the preferred substrates. Antibodies specific for PI-PLC I reacted with a 62-kDa protein in both the cytosol and membrane fractions from guinea pig uterus. Quantitation of the immunoblots revealed that 25% of the 62-kDa protein was membrane-associated, whereas only 5% of the total enzyme activity was membrane-associated. Approximately 20% of the membrane-bound phospholipase C activity and immunoreactive material were loosely bound, whereas the remainder required detergent extraction for complete solubilization. The 62-kDa protein associated with the membrane fractions did not bind lectin affinity columns, suggesting that it was not glycosylated. PI-PLC I was identified as a phosphoprotein in [32P]orthophosphate-labeled rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting. In untreated cells, 32P-labeled PI-PLC I was found in the cytosolic fraction. Treatment of RBL-1 cells with those phorbol esters which are known to activate the Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme protein kinase C, resulted in a time-dependent increase in the phosphorylation of both membrane-bound and cytosolic PI-PLC I. Thus, in RBL-1 cells, protein kinase C may play an important role in the regulation of phospholipase C through protein phosphorylation.

The mechanism of acute cytotoxicity of triethylphosphine gold(I) complexes. I. Characterization of triethylphosphine gold chloride-induced biochemical and morphological changes in isolated hepatocytes

Triethylphosphine gold complexes are effective therapeutic agents used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Many of those molecules are also highly cytotoxic in vitro and can inhibit DNA and protein synthesis. Preliminary experiments have indicated that triethylphosphine gold chloride (TEPAu) may induce the peroxidative decomposition of cellular membrane lipids. The purpose of these investigations therefore was to evaluate the role of lipid peroxidation in the mechanism of acute cytotoxicity of a gold(I) coordination complex, TEPAu, and to examine the early morphological and biochemical changes induced by TEPAu in suspensions of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. TEPAu caused a rapid loss of cell viability at concentrations above 25 microM which was significantly different from that of control by 60 min and complete by 180 min of incubation. TEPAu also depleted cells of reduced glutathione (GSH) and increased the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) by 60 min. Incubation of cells with either of the antioxidants, N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD) or promethazine blocked the formation of MDA but did not alter the time course of cell death or GSH depletion induced by TEPAu. TEPAu also caused a decrease in cellular NADPH and NADH by 10 min. Electron microscopy of hepatocytes exposed to TEPAu revealed early (5 min) formation of flocculent electron-dense precipitates within condensed mitochondria. These changes characteristically preceded cell death. Energy-dispersive electron-probe microanalysis indicated that the electron-dense precipitates did not contain detectable amounts of gold. TEPAu also caused a concentration-dependent decrease in cellular ATP and oxygen consumption in isolated rat hepatocytes. These data suggest that lipid peroxidation, as indicated by the formation of MDA, is probably not a major mechanism by which triethylphosphine gold complexes lethally injure cells. These data, therefore, suggest that mitochondria may be target organelles in TEPAu-induced toxicity to isolated rat hepatocytes.

Catecholamine-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in turkey erythrocytes: evidence for a two-step mechanism

Preincubation of turkey erythrocytes with isoproterenol is associated with (1) 50-60% attenuation of agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, (2) altered mobility of the beta-adrenergic receptor on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, and (3) increased phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor. Using a low-cross-linked polyacrylamide gel, the beta-adrenergic receptor protein from isoproterenol-desensitized cells, labeled with 32P or with the photoaffinity label 125I-(p-azidobenzyl)carazolol, can be resolved into a doublet (Mr congruent to 37,000 and Mr congruent to 41,000) as compared to a single Mr congruent to 37,000 beta-adrenergic receptor protein from control erythrocytes. The appearance of the doublet was dependent on the concentration of agonist used to desensitize the cells. Incubation of erythrocytes with dibutyryl-cAMP did not promote formation of the doublet but decreased agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity 40-50%. Limited-digestion peptide maps of 32P-labeled beta-adrenergic receptors using papain revealed a unique phosphopeptide in the larger molecular weight band (Mr congruent to 41,000) of the doublet from the agonist-desensitized preparation that was absent in the peptide maps of the smaller band (Mr congruent to 37,000), as well as control or dibutyryl-cAMP-desensitized receptor. These data provide evidence that maximal agonist-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in turkey erythrocytes occurs by a two-step mechanism.

Effect of auranofin and other gold complexes on the activity of phospholipase C

Auranofin (AF) is an orally active chrysotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a self-perpetuating inflammatory disease. Because of reports suggesting that AF and other gold complexes can, under certain circumstances, exacerbate rheumatoid inflammatory lesions in humans and adjuvant arthritic rats and that phospholipase C (PLC) and phospholipase A2 activities are increased in rheumatoid patients, the effects of AF and a related gold complex on in situ mammalian and purified Bacillus cereus PLC were examined. Results of our studies show that 1) AF and triethylphosphine gold chloride (TEPG), an AF analog, stimulated PLC activity in the sonicate of RAW 264.7 macrophages; 2) AF and TEPG stimulated B. cereus PLC activity in a concentration-dependent manner, but the pattern of stimulation and concentrations of drugs required to stimulate the purified enzyme differ from those seen with the macrophage PLC; 3) metals (cobalt and zinc) and sulfhydryl reagents (N-ethylmaleimide, iodoacetic acid, and glutathione), tested at the same concentrations of AF that enhanced PLC activity, had no effect on the enzyme. These data suggest that stimulation of PLC may be a generic phenomenon since two divergent PLCs are affected by gold complexes. Additionally, these studies may provide one potential explanation for rheumatoid lesion flares seen in patients and animals on chrysotherapy.