Mechanisms of insulin-induced insulin-receptor downregulation. Decrease of receptor biosynthesis and mRNA levels

The influence of insulin on the downregulation of its receptor was studied in AR42J cultured pancreatic acinar cells, a cell line that has been demonstrated to be metabolically responsive to insulin. Downregulation induced by insulin was time and dose dependent. After a 20-h incubation with 1 microM insulin, Scatchard analysis revealed approximately 80% loss of insulin receptors. Studies of receptor half-life indicated that treatment with insulin accelerated the degradation of both the alpha- and beta-subunits of the insulin receptor by 30-60%. In addition, biosynthetic-labeling studies indicated that insulin inhibited the biosynthesis of the insulin-receptor precursor by greater than 30%. This decreased biosynthesis of the precursor was associated with decreased production of mature receptor subunits. Poly(A)+ RNA was extracted from control cells and cells treated for 24 h with 100 nM insulin. Slot blots and Northern transfers revealed that insulin induced an approximately 50% decrease in insulin-receptor mRNA levels. Therefore, these studies indicate that insulin may diminish the concentration of its receptors in target cells by at least two mechanisms: acceleration of receptor degradation and inhibition of receptor biosynthesis at the level of mRNA.

Early osteophyte formation after chemically induced articular cartilage injury

We examined the early changes that follow injection of sodium iodoacetate (IA) into the guinea pig knee joint, using Safranin-O (SO) to stain the proteoglycan (PG)-rich matrix and the incorporation of Na35 SO4 to determine which cells have maintained, lost, or developed the ability to synthesize significant amounts of PGs. Within 24 hours following injection of IA, articular chondrocytes exhibited a marked loss in ability to synthesize PGs; this inhibition was complete after 2 weeks. Focal loss of SO staining of the interterritorial matrix was noted after 24 hours, progressing to a complete loss of staining after 2 weeks. In sharp contrast to the degenerative changes in the habitually loaded articular cartilage, cells at the chondrosynovial junction began incorporating Na35 SO4 and producing a matrix that stained with SO as early as 72 hours following injection. With time, this resulted in the development of prominent osteophytic cartilage that involved bone remodeling beneath the overlying cartilaginous cap after 3 weeks.

Rescreening of a group at high risk for colorectal neoplasia using immunochemical tests for faecal occult blood

The results of a screening programme for colorectal neoplasia in a high risk group using an immunochemical test for blood has been reported recently. This test is known as the faecal human haemoglobin (FHH) test. This paper reports the results of rescreening this group after an interval of 1-2 years. The FHH test was compared with a paper disc method. All individuals with positive tests were investigated and those with negative tests were offered investigation. The results confirm the value of the FHH test in screening a high risk group: 19 individuals in 1,153 participants were found to have a significant neoplasm (1.6%). The predictive value of the test for a significant neoplasm was 42%. A false negative rate of 2.6% was found, all lesions being benign. It appears to be more reliable than the paper disc method but the differences do not reach statistical significance. The FHH test is recommended for screening the general population over the age of 40 years, with rescreening annually.

Synthesis and secretion of rat pancreatic proteins by Xenopus laevis oocytes

An in vivo translation system, the Xenopus laevis oocyte, was employed to study the synthesis and secretion of pancreatic proteins. RNA was purified from normal and diabetic rat pancreas and normal rat liver by use of guanidine isothiocyanate lysis and cesium chloride gradient centrifugation. The presence of functional mRNA was documented by translation in a reticulocyte lysate that yielded precursors of all major secretory proteins, i.e., slightly higher Mr than proteins synthesized in situ by pancreatic acini. Mature X. laevis oocytes were then microinjected with either total RNA or purified mRNA. When oocytes were subsequently incubated with 35S-methionine, pancreatic secretory proteins or hepatic albumin could be immunoprecipitated from oocyte lysate with specific polyclonal antibodies against amylase, trypsin, ribonuclease, and albumin. Amylase was shown to be enzymatically active. Moreover, oocytes released pancreatic secretory proteins into the medium when injected with pancreatic RNA in a time-dependent manner. Only the mature form of amylase was secreted and secretion was not regulated by secretagogues. When a comparison was made after injection of RNA from diabetic pancreas known to contain altered amounts of individual mRNAs, there was a decrease in amylase and an increase in trypsinogen synthesis in oocytes that was comparable to the results of cell free translation. The oocyte expression system, therefore, should be useful not only for studies of protein synthesis but also for processing and secretion.

Passive mode locking of a cw energy-transfer dye laser operating in the infrared near 800 nm

The cw tuning range, and subsequent passive mode locking of a new argon-ion-pumped energy-transfer dye laser operating in the near IR, is reported for the first time to our knowledge. The gain medium, consisting of an energytransfer mixture of Pyridin 1 as the donor dye and Rhodamine 800 as the acceptor dye, has been found to lase continuous waves from 742 to 823 nm. Passively mode locked with bis-4-(1-ethylquinoline) [gamma-4'-(1'-ethylquino-line)] pentamethine cyanine diiodide dye, this active medium yielded sub-500-fsec pulses from 783 to 815 nm in a linear cavity, with pulses as short as 260 fsec being generated.

Monoclonal antibodies as probes for plasma membrane domains in the exocrine pancreas

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were generated as probes for the plasma membrane domains of pancreatic acinar cells. Primary monolayer cultures of mouse pancreatic acinar cells, which have an expanded apical surface relative to normal pancreas, were used to immunize rats. With conventional immunization and fusion protocols, 3% of the hybridomas were positive against the acinar lumen by indirect immunofluorescence of mouse pancreas cryosections. Culturing of spleen cells from an immunized rat on the apical surface of acinar cell monolayer cultures before fusion with the myeloma (an in vitro boost) doubled the percentage of hybridomas producing apical membrane-specific mAb. Monoclonal antibodies were characterized by immunofluorescence, ultrastructural immunoperoxidase cytochemistry, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting. One antibody, acinar-1 (IgG2a), labeled the apical membranes of pancreatic acinar cells, hepatocytes, salivary and lacrimal gland acinar cells, and the brush border of small intestine enterocytes. This mAb precipitated and blotted a protein of 94 KD. Acinar-2 (IgM) also labeled pancreatic acinar cell apical membranes but did not label other tissues and did not precipitate or blot. Acinar-3 labeled pancreatic acinar cell lateral membranes. Duct-1 (IgM) labeled pancreatic duct apical membrane and ducts in liver and salivary glands but did not precipitate or blot. These domain-specific mAb demonstrate that common antigenic determinants occur in the apical surfaces of several exocrine epithelia and may be important in secretion.

Expression of receptors for cholecystokinin and other Ca2+-mobilizing hormones in Xenopus oocytes

The expression of receptors for cholecystokinin (CCK) and other similar acting Ca2+-mobilizing hormones was studied in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Poly(A)+ RNA was prepared from pancreatic AR42J cells, which normally express receptors for CCK and bombesin and the RNA injected into oocytes. The presence of these pancreatic receptors on the oocytes was then demonstrated by hormone-induced mobilization of 45Ca2+. CCK receptors were present 1 day (maximum, 2 days) after injection of RNA and were generally proportional to the amount of poly(A)+ RNA injected (1-50 ng). Oocyte CCK receptors retained selectivity for CCK analogs (CCK8 greater than unsulfated CCK8 greater than CCK4) and were blocked by the specific CCK receptor antagonist CR 1409. When poly(A)+ RNA was subjected to size fractionation on sucrose gradients, activity-inducing CCK receptors showed a single peak centered at 3 kilobases. The generality of this oocyte system for expressing Ca2+-mobilizing hormone receptors was further shown by expression of a response to bombesin after injection of AR42J cell RNA and a response to vasopressin and angiotensin II when poly(A)+ RNA from rat liver was injected. No response to CCK was demonstrable after injection of liver RNA, demonstrating the specificity of this assay.

Zymogen granules of mouse parotid acinar cells are acidified in situ in an ATP-dependent manner

The mechanism for acidification of zymogen granules in acinar cells of mouse parotid gland was explored using acridine orange, lysosomotropic agents, and an inhibitor of cellular ATP production. Methylamine and monensin reversibly collapsed the pH gradient of granules without affecting cellular ATP levels. Depletion of cellular ATP with antimycin A did not collapse the pH gradient. However, recovery of acidity in the granules, after collapse of the pH gradient by methylamine, was blocked by depletion of cellular ATP. These results demonstrate that zymogen granules of parotid gland are acidic in situ and that ATP is required for acidification of the granules.

pH regulatory mechanisms in rat pancreatic ductal cells

The mechanisms underlying regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) by rat pancreatic duct cells were studied by use of the pH-sensitive, fluorescent, cytoplasmically trapped dye 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Cells exhibited a mean pHi of 7.18 +/- 0.14 in bicarbonate-buffered medium, as calculated from the BCECF fluorescence ratio. Removal of extracellular Na (Nao) caused an intracellular acidification that was rapidly reversed by Na replacement and occurred independently of Clo. Amiloride (10(-3) M) reversibly blocked Na-dependent recovery after Na-free-induced acidification. These results demonstrate the presence of a Na+-H+ exchange mechanism in pancreatic duct cells. Replacement of Clo with gluconate caused an intracellular alkalinization that was reversed by replacement of Cl. Application of the disulfonic stilbene derivatives, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and dihydro-DIDS (2 X 10(-4) M), resulted in block of both Cl-dependent recovery from Na-gluconate and the onset of alkalinization of transition from NaCl to Na-gluconate. Chloride-dependent alteration of pHi occurred independently of Nao. These results demonstrate the presence of an anion exchange mechanism consistent with Cl--HCO3- exchange. Thus pancreatic duct cells contain both Na+-H+ and Cl--HCO3- exchangers.

Molecular organization of the vestigial region in Drosophila melanogaster

The vestigial (vg) locus of Drosophila melanogaster is involved in wing margin development. In the absence of a vg+ gene, extensive cell death occurs in third instar imaginal discs which results in a complete loss of adult wing margin structures. P-element tagging was used to obtain a molecular clone of the vg locus, which led to the molecular characterization of approximately 46 kb of DNA from the region. Deficiency analysis and molecular mapping identified sequences, spanning approximately 20 kb of DNA within the larger region, which are necessary for vg function. The molecular map was oriented with respect to a pre-existing genetic fine structure map of the locus. The centromere distal limits of the locus were defined by deficiency analyses while the proximal end has not yet been conclusively established. However, three transcripts, that are apparently unrelated to vg, provide circumstantial evidence for the proximal limits of the vg locus. The nature of the molecular lesions for several extant recessive or lethal vg alleles was determined, and these were placed on the vg molecular map. The characterization of the lesions associated with two dominant vg alleles and one complex vg allele imply interesting regulatory mechanisms for this locus. As well, a revertant of a 412 insertion mutant allele was shown to have resulted from a further insertion of a roo element into the 412 element.

Regulation of protein phosphorylation in pancreatic acini by cyclic AMP-mediated secretagogues: interaction with carbamylcholine

The effects on protein phosphorylation in mouse pancreatic acini of cyclic AMP-mediated secretagogues and the Ca2+-mediated agonist carbamylcholine were compared. Under the conditions adopted for the study of protein phosphorylation, carbamylcholine (3 microM) stimulated amylase release from pancreatic acini 6-fold, whereas vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) (100 nM) and the cyclic AMP analogue 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (1 mM) caused little or no increase in secretion. However, VIP and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP, when added in combination with carbamylcholine, potentiated the stimulation of amylase release to 170-180% of that caused by carbamylcholine alone. As assessed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, VIP reproduced four of the ten changes in protein phosphorylation elicited by carbamylcholine, these changes being the increased phosphorylation of one soluble protein and the decreased phosphorylation of three soluble proteins. VIP enhanced the carbamylcholine-induced changes in phosphorylation for three proteins. In addition, VIP increased the phosphorylation of a unique protein of Mr 52,000 and pI 5.66 which was not affected by carbamylcholine. All of the effects on protein phosphorylation exerted by VIP in the presence or absence of carbamylcholine were mimicked by 8-bromo-cyclic AMP. Secretin also reproduced most of the changes in protein phosphorylation caused by VIP, although concentrations of secretin of at least 100-fold higher were required to elicit a maximal response. It is concluded that cyclic AMP-mediated secretagogues alter the phosphorylation of a unique protein as well as of several pancreatic proteins affected by carbamylcholine. Moreover, these effects appear to be mediated primarily by VIP-preferring receptors and may be involved in the synergistic action of VIP to promote carbamylcholine-induced amylase release.

Transformation of Drosophila melanogaster with a suppressor tRNA gene (Sup3e tRNA(SerUGA)) from Schizosaccharomyces pombe

P-element mediated transformation was utilized to introduce a suppressor tRNA gene (Sup3e tRNA(UGASER)) from Schizosaccharomyces pombe into Drosophila melanogaster. Thirteen independently transformed lines were characterized as to the number of cytological locations of the transposons. It was ascertained that the suppressor tRNA gene of interest was introduced into each transformed strain. The helper P element used (p pi 25.1) allows further transposition to occur, and it was determined that from one to seven copies of the heterologous tRNA(UGASER) gene per strain were present among the respective transformed strains. The number of transposons per transformed line was established by in situ hybridization to salivary gland chromosomes as well as by Southern hybridization analyses and there was good agreement in the totals determined by these two techniques.

Molecular analysis of hybrid dysgenesis-induced derivatives of a P-element allele at the vg locus

Secondary and tertiary derivatives of a P-element insertion allele at the vestigial (vg) locus were induced by hybrid dysgenesis. The derivatives were characterized by Southern analyses and, in four cases, by DNA sequencing. The alterations found were P-element internal deletions, deletions of the insert and/or adjacent vg region DNA, or novel insertions of P-element sequences into existing P-element inserts. The relatively high frequency of secondary insertions into P-element sequences observed herein is unusual, since secondary insertions have seldom been recovered in other dysgenic screens. The effects of the alleles on vg expression were determined. The results are consistent with a model in which the insertions disrupt vg gene expression by transcriptional interference.

No response to high-dose muscarinic agonist therapy in Alzheimer's disease

Cholinergic deficiency is the most consistent transmitter system abnormality in Alzheimer's disease. To test the acute therapeutic efficacy of cholinergic replacement, seven patients with presenile onset of Alzheimer's type dementia received maximum tolerated doses (10 mg/d) of the selective muscarinic agonist, RS-86, in combination with a peripherally active anticholinergic glycopyrrolate (6 mg/d), in a double-blind placebo-controlled design. No consistent, clinically significant cognitive improvement could be discerned in these mild to moderately demented patients, despite attainment of central RS-86 levels approximating those that affect behavior in the experimental animal. Muscarinic agonist monotherapy may thus be inadequate to benefit Alzheimer's type dementia.

Temperature dependence of high-affinity CCK receptor binding and CCK internalization in rat pancreatic acini

125I-labeled cholecystokinin (CCK) binding and internalization were studied as a function of temperature in isolated rat pancreatic acini. At 37 degrees C, acini readily bound and degraded 125I-CCK. When labeled hormone binding was inhibited by increasing amounts of unlabeled CCK, competition-inhibition curves were biphasic, consistent with both high- (Kd, 18 pM) and low-affinity (Kd, 13 nM) binding sites. At 4 degrees C, acini bound only one-third as much 125I-CCK and degradation was essentially abolished. At 4 degrees C, CCK competition curves were consistent with a single class of low-affinity binding sites (Kd, 19 nM). Internalization of 125I-CCK was evaluated by three washing procedures utilizing acid, base, and trypsin. All were shown to remove membrane-bound 125I-CCK, and this finding was validated for trypsin by electron microscope autoradiography. After 1 h at 37 degrees C, washing showed 67% of bound 125I-CCK to be internalized and autoradiography showed 54% to be internalized. At 4 degrees C, internalization of bound CCK was greatly reduced but not abolished. When internalization of 125I-CCK was evaluated as a function of the medium concentration of CCK, both high- and low-affinity components were observed. These results suggest that high-affinity CCK binding and CCK internalization are separate temperature-sensitive processes. Moreover, internalization is not uniquely associated with high-affinity binding.

Downregulation of protein kinase C in guinea pig pancreatic acini: effects on secretion

Pretreatment of guinea pig pancreatic acini with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced a time- and concentration-dependent down-regulation of protein kinase C. In control acini almost all of the protein kinase C activity was present in a cytosolic fraction. Incubation with TPA initially shifted protein kinase C activity to a particular fraction which then disappeared over the following 24-h incubation with TPA. To study the role of protein kinase C in stimulus-secretion coupling, acini were pretreated with TPA and then amylase release was studied in response to various secretagogues. Preincubation of acini with TPA led to a time- and concentration-dependent decrease in TPA-stimulated amylase release that correlated with protein kinase C downregulation. Preincubation of acini with 1 microM TPA for 24 h, resulting in complete loss of protein kinase C activity, abolished the secretory effect of subsequently added TPA. By contrast, the secretory effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) and carbamylcholine chloride (CCh) were only inhibited by 44 and 34%, respectively, and amylase release stimulated by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and an adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-mediated agonist, vasoactive intestinal peptide, was unaffected. Dose-response curves for CCK-8- or CCh-stimulated amylase release in TPA-pretreated acini revealed attenuation of both maximal efficacy and sensitivity. However, the CCh-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ increase as determined by use of the fluorescent probe fura-2 was not affected by the long-term TPA pretreatment of acini. This study strongly suggests that both protein kinase C and intracellular Ca2+ play a significant role in CCK-8- and CCh-stimulated amylase release.

Evaluation of myosin light chain phosphorylation in isolated pancreatic acini

The role of contractile proteins in secretory granule exocytosis was evaluated by determining whether myosin light chain phosphorylation was altered during stimulation of secretion in mouse pancreatic acini. Acinar myosin was purified by extraction into isosmotic sucrose solution containing 40 mM pyrophosphate followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sepharose 4B-CL chromatography. Myosin was eluted as a single peak of K+-EDTA ATPase activity and was purified over 2,000-fold to a final ATPase specific activity of 0.96 mumol.min-1.mg protein-1. Three major myosin subunits of apparent Mr of 200,000, 20,000, and 17,000 were present in the purified myosin preparation. A fourth protein of Mr 21,000 was also present. Purification of myosin from 32P-labeled acini revealed the Mr 200,000, 21,000, and 20,000 proteins to be heavily labeled. The effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on myosin phosphorylation was studied after isolation of myosin from 32P-labeled acinar lysates by immunoprecipitation. Treatment of acini for 1-10 min with a concentration of CCK-8 that gives a maximal secretory response caused a 25-40% increase in light chain labeling. Treatment with a supramaximal CCK-8 concentration produced a 50-80% increase in light chain labeling. Phosphorylation of myosin heavy chain was not significantly affected by secretagogue treatment. These results indicate that stimulation of pancreatic acinar secretion is accompanied by an increase in myosin light chain phosphorylation.

Zymogen granule acidity is not required for stimulated pancreatic protein secretion

It has been demonstrated recently by acridine orange fluorescence that pancreatic zymogen granules are acidic in situ, with respect to the cytoplasm. To evaluate the relationship between the acidic intragranular pH and hormone-stimulated secretion, mouse pancreatic acini were treated with lysosomotropic agents to collapse the zymogen granule pH gradient. Methylamine, monensin, and chloroquine collapsed the granule pH gradient as evidenced by a disappearance of acridine orange fluorescence. Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8)-stimulated acinar amylase secretion was unaffected in the presence of up to 30 mM methylamine and slightly enhanced in the presence of 0.3-10 microM monensin or 3-300 microM chloroquine. Acini were also preincubated for 15 min before addition of either CCK-8 or bombesin with concentrations of the lysosomotropic agents that dissipated the granule acridine orange fluorescence within this time. With preincubation, basal amylase release was unaffected, while stimulated secretion was slightly enhanced by all three lysosomotropic agents. Monensin and methylamine caused vacuolization of Golgi and lysosomal membranes and inhibition of intracellular transport of newly synthesized proteins. Chloroquine affected lysosomes similarly but had little effect on Golgi membranes or on intracellular protein transport. We also demonstrate that parotid secretory granules are acidic in situ by the acridine orange technique. Thus acidified secretory granules may be a general feature of exocrine secretory granules, but the acid pH is not requisite for the final steps in protein secretion from isolated pancreatic acini.

Evaluation of an immunochemical test for faecal occult blood in screening for colorectal neoplasia in a high risk group

A group of 1615 asymptomatic individuals presumed to be at increased risk of colorectal neoplasia were selected as the study group. All were tested by an immunochemical test for faecal occult blood. In the second half of the study, individuals who were occult blood negative were offered colonoscopy. Ninety-nine individuals (6.1%) returned stools which were occult blood positive. Investigation by full colonoscopy was possible in 90 cases, revealing nine patients (10%) with invasive cancers, four patients (4.4%) with carcinomata in situ, and 36 patients (40%) with adenomata. Non-neoplastic pathology capable of producing occult blood positive stools was found in 31 individuals (34.4%). No pathology was found in 10 instances (11.1%). Of the 53 occult blood negative subjects who underwent colonoscopy, eight were found to have adenomata. Only one of these was larger than 5 mm in diameter (18 mm). No carcinomata were found. The site within the large bowel of the tumour did not appear to significantly affect the occult blood status of the faeces but the size of the tumours detected suggests that the presence of blood within the stool is more likely to be associated with larger lesions. The frequency of detection of both carcinomata and adenomata was greatest in individuals who had a past history of colorectal neoplasia. The individual cost of this immunochemical test is nominal. The high diagnostic yield and low false positive and negative rates suggest that case follow-up, surveillance, or screening utilizing this test is justified.

Pancreatic acinar cell amylase gene expression: selective effects of adrenalectomy and corticosterone replacement

To examine the role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of the acinar pancreas, adult male rats were adrenalectomized (Adx) and replaced with no corticosterone (B), normal B, or high B. Plasma B concentration, body weight gain, and thymus weight were used as independent measures of treatment efficacy. Compared to controls, Adx animals had a 75 +/- 0.5% (n = 30) reduction in pancreatic amylase content; a 50% decrease occurred within 1 day and the maximal 75% decrease was observed after 5 days. In Adx animals, amylase content was normalized by normal B replacement and was increased to 235 +/- 39% (n = 30) of control by high B replacement. Furthermore, in all Adx rats, pancreatic content of amylase and plasma B concentration was significantly correlated (r = 0.81, n = 30). The effect of adrenalectomy was selective for amylase; contents of ribonuclease, chymotrypsin, and elastase were not altered. However, the effects of high B replacement were not selective, and increased the content of all digestive enzymes. To determine whether the changes in enzyme content were associated with changes in messenger RNA (mRNA), pancreatic RNA was probed with 32P-labeled complementary DNAs for amylase, ribonuclease, and chymotrypsin. After adrenalectomy and B replacement there was a significant correlation only between amylase mRNA (r = 0.87, n = 13) and plasma B concentration. These data indicate that physiological levels of B have a selective effect on pancreatic amylase gene expression. In contrast, high levels of B have the separate, nonselective effect of increasing the content of all digestive enzymes without increasing corresponding mRNA levels.

Passive mode locking of a continuous-wave energy-transfer dye laser operating in the near infrared around 750 nm

The passive mode locking of an argon-ion-pumped energy-transfer cw dye laser operating in the near infrared is reported. The dyes 1,1'-diethyl-4,4'-carbocyanine iodide and 1,1'-diethyl-2,2' -dicarbocyanine iodide were used separately to mode lock a gain medium comprising the dyes DCM and Rhodamine 700. Subpicosecond pulses were generated from 732 to 761 nm in a simple linear cavity, and pulses as short as 110 fsec were obtained from a colliding pulse mode-locked ring cavity that was tuned between 742 and 754 nm.

Insulin and other stimulants have nonparallel translational effects on protein synthesis

Isolated pancreatic acini from streptozocin-induced diabetic rats were used to study the role of insulin on the synthesis of specific cellular proteins. When acini were incubated with 0-100 nM insulin for 2 h and then pulsed with [35S]methionine, a dose-dependent increase in [35S]methionine incorporation into total cellular proteins was observed. When acinar cell lysates were subjected to gel electrophoresis, 12 major newly synthesized protein bands were resolved. Insulin (100 nM) increased the incorporation of [35S]methionine into all bands but with significantly different rates, varying from 84 to 216% of control. Next, specific antibodies to amylase, trypsin, ribonuclease, myosin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were used to evaluate the biosynthesis of known proteins. Insulin stimulated labeled amino acid incorporation into amylase by 148% over control. Insulin stimulated the synthesis of trypsinogen to a similar degree, but ribonuclease synthesis showed a significantly smaller increase of 53% over control. Insulin stimulated myosin and LDH synthesis by 169 and 184%, respectively. A differential pattern of protein synthesis was also observed when acini were treated with two other stimulators of protein synthesis, cholecystokinin and hemin. Both of these stimulators had a reduced effect on ribonuclease synthesis compared with amylase and trypsinogen synthesis but failed to increase myosin synthesis. When the RNAs extracted from control acini and acini treated with 100 nM insulin were translated in vitro, the proteins synthesized were quantitatively similar. This study therefore indicates that insulin has translational effects on acinar protein synthesis, and these effects are nonparallel for various specific acinar cell proteins.

Cholecystokinin induces the interaction of its receptor with a guanine nucleotide binding protein

To evaluate the relation between the pancreatic cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor and guanine nucleotide-binding protein(s) we studied the effects of nucleotides on 125I-CCK binding to pancreatic acinar plasma membranes, 125I-CCK binding to solubilized 125I-CCK receptors, and the stability of the solubilized 125I-CCK-receptor complex. In plasma membranes, guanine nucleotides both inhibited CCK binding and increased the dissociation of CCK from its receptor. The potency of the nucleotides studied was GTP gamma S = GMP-PNP greater than GTP much greater than ATP. When membranes were solubilized with digitonin, subsequent binding of CCK was insensitive to guanine nucleotides including GTP, GMP-PNP and GTP gamma S. However, if CCK binding occurred before solubilization of the membranes, guanine nucleotides increased dissociation at concentrations and with a specificity similar to that observed for effects on intact pancreatic membranes. It is concluded that guanine nucleotides act via a protein which is separable from the receptor to induce dissociation of bound CCK. Moreover, CCK binding induces an association in the plasma membrane of the CCK receptor with this guanine nucleotide binding protein.

Structural characterization of the somatostatin receptor in rat anterior pituitary membranes

To structurally characterize the somatostatin receptor in the anterior pituitary, the chemical cross-linking reagent N-5-azido-nitrobenzoyloxysuccinimide was used to attach covalently [125I-Tyr11]somatostatin-14 to its receptor in pituitary membranes. Rat anterior pituitary membranes were incubated with [125I-Tyr11]somatostatin-14, washed, and then treated with 100 microM cross-linker, which was activated by exposure to UV light. Gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography revealed a broad band centered at 88,000 mol wt. The appearance of this band was unaffected by dithiothreitol. Competitive inhibition of binding by unlabeled somatostatin resulted in a parallel inhibition of labeling of the 88,000 mol wt protein. The addition of guanine nucleotides in concentrations that inhibit binding similarly inhibited cross-linking. The cross-linked membranes were solubilized in Zwittergent 3-12, a nondenaturing detergent, and the glycosylation pattern of the labeled protein was investigated by incubation with various lectins coupled to agarose. The cross-linked protein was selectively adsorbed by wheat germ agglutinin, and this interaction was blocked by the addition of N,N',N"-triacetylchitotriose, indicating that the rat anterior pituitary somatostatin receptor is a glycoprotein containing polymeric beta-1-4 linked N-acetylglucosamine groups. The results of this study show that the rat anterior pituitary somatostatin receptor is a glycoprotein of 88,000 mol wt containing no disulfide-linked subunits.

Ontogeny of secretory function and cholecystokinin binding capacity in immature rat pancreas

Isolated acini were prepared from the pancreas of immature rats (age less than 1 hr. - 48 hrs) in order to study the development of the secretory process. The ultrastructural integrity of the acinar cells was maintained after digestion and stimulation with secretagogues. Acini prepared from rats aged 24 - 48 hours responded to both CCK-8 and carbachol with significant increases in amylase release. Although typical biphasic dose response curves were obtained, the curves were shifted to the right by 1 - 2 log units, compared to the responses of adult acini. At ages younger than 24 hours, acini were insensitive to secretagogues but were sensitive to the calcium ionophore A23187. CCK receptors were virtually absent from membranes prepared from newborn pancreases, but binding of CCK, although small, was measurable at 12 hours and slowly increased up to 48 hours. A greater amount of binding was seen at 72 hours, which appeared constant up to 14 days. At 21 days, adult levels of binding were found. These results confirm previous studies that the rat pancreas is insensitive to secretagogues in the first 24 hours of life. After age 24 hours the secretory process is intact but less sensitive to secretory agents than the more mature pancreas. In the case of CCK, this may be due to lesser numbers of CCK receptors and/or affinity of CCK for its receptor.