Cytokine regulation of the rat proopiomelanocortin gene expression in AtT-20 cells

Although cytokines are known to be involved in the regulation of ACTH secretion, their effects, along with the molecular mechanisms, on POMC gene expression are not thoroughly characterized. In this study we examined the effects of representative cytokines on transcription of the POMC gene in corticotrophs in vitro using AtT20PL, a clone of the AtT20 cell line stably transfected with approximately 0.7 kilobase of the rat POMC 5'-promoter-luciferase fusion gene. In each experiment, cells were incubated with the cytokine tested, and the changes in POMC 5'-promoter activity were determined by a luciferase assay. The results showed that interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) stimulated promoter activity in a biphasic manner [weak short term effects (2-3 h) followed by potent long term effects (>12-16 h)]. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha had similar effects, but much less potency. IL-6 showed a profound stimulatory, but only a long term (>20 h), effect. IL-2 did not influence POMC expression. In contrast, interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) and IFN-gamma showed acute stimulatory effects (approximately 4 h) followed by marked inhibitory effects (>8 h). Although the acute effects of IL-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha alone were minimal, they significantly potentiated the stimulatory effect of CRH on POMC expression. Finally, pretreatment of the cells with a broad spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, abolished or significantly diminished the effects of all cytokines except IFNs. Our results suggest that 1) each cytokine tested has a distinct effect on POMC gene expression; 2) there are positive cross-talk effects between CRH and cytokines at the corticotroph level; and 3) tyrosine phosphorylation cascades are involved in the intracellular signaling mechanisms of some cytokines.

Regulation of vasopressin synthesis and release by area postrema in rats

There is evidence indicating that the area postrema (AP), the most caudal circumventricular organ located on the dorsal surface of the medulla, is involved in several physiological regulations. In this study, we investigated the role of AP in the regulation of arginine vasopressin (AVP) synthesis and release, using rats of which the AP was lesioned 6 weeks previously. The level of plasma AVP in the AP lesioned (APX) group was significantly lower than in the sham operated (Sham) group in the basal state. AVP release induced by either hyperosmolality or hypovolemia was significantly attenuated by APX. To clarify the role of AP in AVP synthesis in the hypothalamus, we examined the AVP gene expression using in situ hybridization. AVP messenger RNA levels in paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON) in the APX group were significantly lower than in the Sham group in the basal state. Moreover, the AVP messenger RNA levels in PVN and SON in the APX group were also significantly lower than in the Sham group after water deprivation for 3 days. These results suggest that AVP synthesis and release are tonically stimulated by AP in the basal state and that AVP synthesis and release in stimulated states are also regulated, at least partially, by AP.

Influence of acute elevation of plasma AVP level on rat vasopressin V2 receptor and aquaporin-2 mRNA expression

It is known that vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R) mRNA is downregulated by elevated plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) following chronic osmotic stimulation. To elucidate the response in V2R mRNA expression to acute elevation of the plasma AVP level, we investigated the time-course change of rat V2R mRNA expression after subcutaneous injection of AVP (10 microg/body). Plasma AVP levels increased from 1.4+/-0.3 pg/ml to 56.8+/-10.7 pg/ml by an hour after injection,and returned to the control level at 6 h. By Northern blotanalysis, V2R mRNA expression decreased to 52.7+/-3.7% of the control level at 2 h, and then returned to the control level by 6 h. Furthermore we investigated the time-course change of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) mRNA expression. AQP2 mRNA expression increased gradually after injection and reached 240.3+/-7.5% of the control level at 6 h. Then it returned to the control level. This study showed that the downregulation of V2R mRNA occurred rapidly after acute elevation of the plasma AVP level, and AQP2 mRNA expression was upregulated despite the downregulation of V2R mRNA.

Age-associated decrease in response of rat aquaporin-2 gene expression to dehydration

It is well known that urine-concentrating ability decreases with aging and that this decreasing ability results from a reduced sensitivity of the renal collecting duct to arginine vasopressin (AVP). AVP regulates the water channel (aquaporin-2:AQP2) through V2 receptors and increases the water permeability of the collecting duct. To elucidate the mechanism of change with aging in urine-concentrating ability, we investigated the change of V2 receptor and AQP2 mRNA expression in young (8-week-old) and older (7-month-old) rats after dehydration for 2 days. After dehydration, plasma AVP levels in older rats were higher than young rats, and urinary osmolality in older rats was lower than young rats. By Northern blot analysis, there was no significant difference between young and older rats in both V2 receptor and AQP2 mRNA expression before dehydration. After dehydration, V2 receptor mRNA expression in young and older rats decreased in the same degree, suggesting the downregulation of V2 receptors may occur in the mRNA level. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization histochemistry showed that AQP2 mRNA expression increased and the increased expression in older rats was less than in young rats. The present study suggests the reduced response of AQP2 mRNA expression to dehydration, observed in 7-month-old rats, might be partially responsible for the decreasing urine-concentrating ability with aging.

Antiserum against neuropeptide FF augments vasopressin release in conscious rats

We previously reported that centrally administered neuropeptide FF (NPFF) inhibited arginine vasopressin (AVP) release. In this study, immunoneutralization of central NPFF was performed to evaluate the role of endogenous NPFF in the regulation of AVP release. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of antiserum against NPFF (Anti-NPFF) significantly augmented the plasma AVP increase induced by hyperosmolality [intraperitoneal injection of hypertonic saline (600 mOsm/kg, 2% BW)] at 60 min after ICV injection compared with normal rabbit serum (NRS) (NRS: 4.20+/-0.30 pg/ml, Anti-NPFF: 5.83+/-0.46 pg/ml, p < 0.01). Anti-NPFF did not cause significant change in plasma osmolality, plasma volume or arterial blood pressure. This evidence indicates that endogenous NPFF might be physiologically involved in osmoregulation of the plasma AVP level through its inhibitory action.

Positive and negative regulation of the rat vasopressin gene promoter

To study the transcriptional regulation of the vasopressin gene in vitro, 3 kb of the 5' regulatory region of the rat vasopressin gene was isolated and subcloned, along with a series of various deletion mutants, into vectors containing the luciferase reporter gene. After transfecting these genes transiently into the human choriocarcinoma cell line JEG-3 along with a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression vector, transcriptional activity was quantitated using the luciferase assay. Forskolin, 8-bromo-cAMP, and protein kinase A catalytic subunit expression all markedly increased transcription from the 3-kb promoter. Analyses with deletion mutants of the promoter showed that two cAMP-responsive element (CRE)-like sequences (-227 to -220 bp and -123 to -116 bp) contribute to this positive regulation. Expression of KCREB, a dominant negative mutant of the cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), suggested the involvement of CREB. Transfection of the activator protein 2 (AP2) DNA consensus sequence partially blocked transcription. Dexamethasone suppressed forskolin-stimulated expression. The negative effect of glucocorticoid was GR dependent and may be mediated by a mechanism not involving GR binding to DNA because it was independent of the putative glucocorticoid-responsive element previously reported in the vasopressin promoter (-622 to -608 bp) and was preserved in the shorter promoter constructs in which no glucocorticoid-responsive element-like sequence was found. Our data suggest that several trans-acting factors including CREB, AP2, and GR are likely to be involved in vasopressin gene transcription and that the positive and negative regulation of vasopressin gene transcription is complex.

Arachidonic acid release induced by extracellular ATP in osteoblasts: role of phospholipase D

In a previous study, we have shown that extracellular ATP stimulates Ca2+ influx resulting in the release of arachidonic acid (AA) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In addition, we have recently reported that extracellular ATP stimulates phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase D (PLD) independently from the activation of protein kinase C in these cells. It is well recognized that phosphatidylcholine is hydrolysed by PLD, generating phosphatidic acid, which can be further degraded by phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase to diacylglycerol (DG). In the present study, we investigated the role of PLD activation in the extracellular ATP-induced AA release and PGE2 synthesis in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. Extracellular ATP stimulated AA release dose-dependently in the range between 0.1 and 1 mM. Propranolol, which is known to inhibit phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase, significantly inhibited the AA release induced by extracellular ATP in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 100 and 300 microM. 1,6-Bis-(cyclohexyloximinocarbonylamino)-hexane (RHC-80267), a selective inhibitor of DG lipase, significantly suppressed the AA release induced by extracellular ATP. Both the pretreatment of propranolol and RHC-80267 also inhibited the extracellular ATP-induced PGE2 synthesis. These results strongly suggest that the AA release induced by extracellular ATP is mediated at least in part by phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by PLD in osteoblast-like cells.

ETA receptor mediates the signaling of endothelin-1 in osteoblast-like cells

We previously reported that endothelin-1 (ET-1) stimulates phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D independently of phosphoinositide hydrolysis in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated the characteristics of the receptors mediating ET-1-induced intracellular signaling pathway in MC3T3-E1 cells. Cyclo-D-Trp-D-Asp-Pro-D-Val-Leu (BQ123), a selective ETA receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the ET-1-induced formation of inositol phosphates in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 22 nmol/L (IC50) and 2.2 mumol/L (IC50 x 100). On the contrary, N-cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidinocarbonyl-L-gamma MeLeu-D-Trp(COOMe)-D-Nle-ONa (BQ788), a selective ETB receptor antagonist, had no effect on the ET-1-induced formation of inositol phosphates in the range between 1.2 nmol/L (IC50) and 120 nmol/L (IC50 x 100). BQ123 significantly suppressed the ET-1-induced formation of choline dose-dependently, however, BQ788 did not affect the choline formation. BQ123 also inhibited the ET-1-induced release of arachidonic acid, but BQ788 had little effect. The results strongly suggest that ETA receptor mediates the three intracellular signaling pathways of ET-1: (1) phosphoinositide hydrolysis by phospholipase C; (2) phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase D; (3) arachidonic acid release in osteoblast-like cells.

Non-genomic mechanisms of glucocorticoid inhibition of adrenocorticotropin secretion: possible involvement of GTP-binding protein

We investigated non-genomic mechanisms of glucocorticoid negative feedback regulation on pituitary corticotroph cells using the AtT20 mouse corticotroph tumor cell line. A synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (100 nM) potently suppressed forskolin-induced cAMP generation, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion, and proopiomelanocortin gene expression. When de novo gene expression was inhibited by actinomycin D (1 microM), dexamethasone still suppressed cAMP efflux and ACTH release, although less potently. Interestingly, under the same conditions, pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (50 ng/ml) completely abolished the suppressive effect of dexamethasone on both parameters. These results suggest that non-genomic and genomic mechanisms are involved in the glucocorticoid negative regulation of ACTH expression, and a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein might, at least partly, participate in the non-genomic effect.

Pharmacokinetics of incadronate, a new bisphosphonate, in healthy volunteers and patients with malignancy-associated hypercalcemia

We investigated the pharmacokinetics of incadronate, a new bisphosphonate, after a 2-hour intravenous infusion to healthy volunteers and patients with malignancy-associated hypercalcemia. Following administration at 0.025-1.6 mg to healthy volunteers, peak plasma concentration of incadronate increased in a dose-proportional manner. Plasma concentration thereafter declined biexponentially with a half-life of 0.26-0.40 h (t1/2 alpha) and 1.58-1.98 h (t1/2 beta). AUC increased dose-proportionally, whereas distribution volume (Vdss), total body clearance (CLt), renal clearance (CLr) and nonrenal clearance (CLnr), corresponding to bone uptake clearance, changed little among doses, indicating the linear pharmacokinetics of the drug after intravenous administration. Within 24 h, 55.1-69.5% of the dose was excreted into urine as the unchanged drug, most in the first 6 h. CLr and CLnr accounted for about 60% and 40% of the CLt, respectively, suggesting that the pharmacokinetics of incadronate are affected by changes in these clearances. In patients, plasma concentration at 2 h increased dose-proportionally in the range of 2.5-10.0 mg. Urinary excretion of YM175 up to 24 h after dosing was as low as 10.5% of the dose, being 1/6 of those in volunteers. A positive correlation (r > 0.89) was observed between creatinine clearance and urinary incadronate excretion in all volunteers and patients, indicating that the reduction of urinary excretion in patients is due to the decrease in renal function accompanying hypercalcemia. Based on comparison of the dose-normalized plasma concentration, the plasma level at 2 h in patients was comparable with that in volunteers, whereas the level at 8 h was 3 times higher in patients, suggesting that elimination from plasma in patients is delayed due to decreased renal function. Nevertheless, the plasma concentration profile in patients was lower than that predicted from the decrease in CLr. This finding suggests that the increase in plasma concentration with decreasing renal excretion in hypercalcemic patients was compensated for by enhanced bone uptake of the drug.

Mechanism of thrombin-induced arachidonic acid release in osteoblast-like cells

In a previous study, we have reported that thrombin stimulates phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase (PL) D, but has little effect on phosphoinositide hydrolysis by PLC in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of the thrombin-induced arachidonic acid (AA) release in MC3T3-E1 cells. Thrombin stimulated AA release dose dependently in the range between 0.1 and 1 U/ml. Quinacrine, a PLA2 inhibitor, suppressed the thrombin-induced AA release. In addition, quinacrine also suppressed the thrombin-induced prostaglandin E2 synthesis in these cells. On the other hand, propranolol, which is known to inhibit phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase, did not affect the thrombin-induced AA release. 1(6-((17beta-3-Methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H- pyrrole-2,5-dione (U-73122), a PLC inhibitor, had no effect on the AA release by thrombin. In addition, 1,6-bis-(cyclohexyloximinocarbonylamino)-hexane (RHC-80267), a selective inhibitor of diacylglycerol lipase, had little effect on the thrombin-induced AA release. Neither propranolol, U-73122 nor RHC-80267 affect the thrombin-induced prostaglandin E2 synthesis. These results strongly suggest that thrombin induces AA release not by phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by PLD nor phosphoinositide hydrolysis by PLC but mainly by PLA2 in osteoblast-like cells.

Regulation of the rat proopiomelanocortin gene expression in AtT-20 cells. I: Effects of the common secretagogues

Although the effects of the various secretagogues on corticotropin (ACTH) secretion have been well studied, their effects on the POMC gene expression have not been thoroughly characterized. In this study, we established a new model system using the AtT20 mouse corticotroph tumor cell line transfected stably with a plasmid containing 0.7 kb of the rat POMC 5' promoter-luciferase fusion gene. The responsiveness to exogenous CRH improved markedly when the cells were cultured with low serum medium (1% FBS) compared with serum rich medium (10%). Using this culture condition, we examined the effects of not only CRH but also other secretagogues such as catecholamines, vasopressin, and angiotensin II, upon the transcriptional activity of the POMC gene. CRH stimulated POMC promoter activity (3.5-fold increase) as well as cAMP generation and ACTH secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with the maximal effect being observed 3-5 h after the start of incubation. Catecholamines, especially epinephrine (10 nM and above), also stimulated all parameters, although less potently than CRH, and the effect was mimicked by the beta-, but not alpha-adrenergic, agonist, suggesting the involvement of the beta-adrenergic receptor. The combined effects of epinephrine and CRH were greater in all parameters than those of CRH alone, and the effects of both hormones were completely blocked by H89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A. Vasopressin and angiotensin II showed minimal effects on POMC expression. Our results suggest that 1) catecholamines, as well as CRH, positively regulate the POMC gene at physiological concentrations; 2) the cAMP-PKA system is the common intracellular signaling pathway for CRH and catecholamines; and 3) vasopressin and angiotensin II also have weak but significant stimulatory effects on POMC promoter activity.

Regulation of the rat proopiomelanocortin gene expression in AtT-20 cells. II: Effects of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), members of the glucagon-secretin family, have recently been suggested to be involved in the regulation of corticotropin (ACTH) secretion. In this study, we examined the effects of both peptides on POMC gene expression. Using AtT20PL, a clone of the AtT20 mouse corticotroph tumor cells stably transfected with 0.7 kb of the rat POMC 5' promoter-luciferase fusion gene, the effects of both peptides on the POMC promoter activity were estimated by a luciferase assay. PACAP stimulated POMC 5' promoter activity as well as cAMP generation and ACTH secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with the maximal effect being observed 3 h after the start of incubation. A similar effect was observed with VIP. Although the combined effects of PACAP/CRH or VIP/CRH were greater than that of either hormone alone, no such effect was observed between PACAP and VIP. Furthermore, RT-PCR analysis showed the presence of only the PVR3 receptor subtype in this cell line, which is known to have a similar affinity to PACAP and VIP, indicating that both peptides exert their effects through the same receptor. In contrast to the effect of CRH, which was completely abolished by a protein kinase A inhibitor H89, the effects of PACAP/VIP on POMC expression persisted during H89 treatment, suggesting the involvement of alternative intracellular signaling pathway(s) distinct from the protein kinase A system. Our results suggest that PACAP and VIP have positive effects on POMC gene expression and that multiple signaling pathways are involved in the transcriptional event.

Involvement of phospholipase D activation in endothelin-1-induced release of arachidonic acid in osteoblast-like cells

In a previous study, we have that endothelin-1 (ET-1) activates phospholipase D independently from protein kinase C in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. It is well recognized that phosphatidylycholine hydrolysis by phospholipase D generates phosphatidic acid, which can be further degraded by phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase to diacylglycerol. In the present study, we investigated the role of phospholipase D activation in ET-1 stimulated arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. ET-1 stimulated arachidonic acid dose-dependently in the range between 0.1 nM and 0.1 microM. Propranolol, an inhibitor of phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase, significantly inhibited the ET-1-induced arachidonic acid release in a dose-dependent manner as well as the ET-1-induced diacylglycerol formation. 1,6-bis-(cyclohexyloxyminocarbonylamino)-hexane (RHC-80267), an inhibitor of diacylglycerol lipase, significantly suppressed the ET-1-induced arachidonic acid release. The pretreatment with propranolol and RHC-80267 also inhibited the ET-1-induced PGE2 synthesis. These results strongly suggest that phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase D is involved in the arachidonic acid release induced by ET-1 in osteoblast-like cells.

Mechanism of angiotensin II-induced arachidonic acid metabolite release in aortic smooth muscle cells: involvement of phospholipase D

In a previous study, we have shown that angiotensin II (Ang II) activates phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D due to Ang II-induced Ca2+ influx from extracellular space in subcultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. In the present study, we have investigated the role of phospholipase D in Ang II-induced arachidonic acid (AA) metabolite release and prostacyclin synthesis in subcultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Ang II significantly stimulated AA metabolite release in a concentration-dependent manner in the range between 1 nmol/I and 0.1 mumol/I. D.L.-Propranolol hydrochloride (propranolol), an inhibitor of phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase, significantly inhibited the Ang II-induced release of AA metabolites. The Ang II-induced AA metabolite release was reduced by chelating extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA. Genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, significantly suppressed the Ang II-induced AA metabolite release. 1,6-Bis-(cyclohexyloximinocarbonylamino)-hexane (RHC-80267), a potent and selective inhibitor of diacylglycerol lipase, significantly inhibited the Ang II-induced AA metabolite release. Both propranolol and RHC-80267 inhibited the Ang II-induced synthesis of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, a stable metabolite of prostacyclin. The synthesis was suppressed by genistein. These results strongly suggest that the AA metabolite release induced by Ang II is mediated, at least in part, through phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase D activation in aortic smooth muscle cells.

Involvement of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase D in extracellular ATP-induced arachidonic acid release in aortic smooth muscle cells

We investigated the effect of extracellular ATP on phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activity and the role of phospholipase D activation in extracellular ATP-induced arachidonic acid release in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. ATP significantly stimulated the formation of choline in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 0.01 and 0.5 mmol/L. However, ATP had no effect on the formation of phosphocholine. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinases, did not affect the ATP-induced formation of choline. ATP significantly stimulated arachidonic acid release in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 0.01 and 0.5 mmol/L. DL-Propranolol hydrochloride (propranolol), an inhibitor of phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase, significantly inhibited the ATP-induced release of arachidonic acid. 1,6-Bis(cyclohexyloximinocarbonylamino)-hexane (RHC-80267), a potent and selective inhibitor of diacylglycerol lipase, reduced ATP-induced arachidonic acid release. Quinacrine, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, suppressed ATP-induced arachidonic acid release. Both propranolol and RHC-80267 markedly inhibited the ATP-induced synthesis of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha, a stable metabolite of prostacyclin. These results strongly suggest that extracellular ATP activates phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D independently of protein kinase C in aortic smooth muscle cells and that the arachidonic acid release induced by extracellular ATP is mediated, at least in part, through phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase D activation.

Prostaglandin E1 stimulates interleukin-6 secretion via protein kinase A in osteoblast-like cells

We investigated the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. PGE1, which induced cAMP accumulation, stimulated IL-6 secretion time-dependently up to 48 h. The stimulative effect of PGE1 was dose-dependent in the range between 10 nM and 10 microM. Cholera toxin, an activator of Gs, stimulated IL-6 secretion in MC3T3-E1 cells. Forskolin, which directly activates adenylate cyclase, significantly induced IL-6 secretion in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 1 and 50 microM. Dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2-cAMP) stimulated IL-6 secretion time-dependently up to 48 h. The effect of Bt2-cAMP on IL-6 secretion was dose-dependent in the range between 0.1 and 3 mM. N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino) ethyl]-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide (H-89), a potent and selective inhibitor of protein kinase A, which suppressed the IL-6 secretion induced by forskolin or Bt2-cAMP, significantly inhibited the IL-6 secretion induced by PGE1. These results indicate that PGE1 stimulates IL-6 secretion via the activation of protein kinase A in osteoblast-like cells.

Osmoregulation of plasma vasopressin in three cases with adrenal insufficiency of diverse etiologies

Neurohypophyseal function was studied by hypertonic saline infusion with plasma vasopressin measurement in 3 patients with adrenal insufficiency before and after cortisol replacement. Although each patient had different causes of adrenal insufficiency, all showed impaired water excretion before replacement. The first patient with isolated adrenocorticotropin deficiency had marked hyponatremia and inappropriate vasopressin secretion which was normalized after replacement, indicating vasopressin hypersecretion during hypoadrenocorticism. The second patient had combined anterior and posterior pituitary deficiency due to postpartum hypopituitarism and showed completely absent vasopressin secretion, with her polyuria being masked before cortisol replacement, suggesting a vasopressin-independent intrarenal mechanism of antidiuresis. The third patient with panhypopituitarism due to a pituitary tumor also had preexisting diabetes insipidus with defective vasopressin secretion. In this case, however, plasma vasopressin was found to be elevated when adrenal insufficiency and hyponatremia subsequently developed. Together, these results indicate that vasopressin hypersecretion does occur during adrenal insufficiency, but that the accompanying urinary diluting defect may be attributable either to vasopressin-dependent or to vasopressin-independent mechanisms.

Basic fibroblast growth factor stimulates phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D in osteoblast-like cells

We examined the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the activation of phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. bFGF stimulated both the formations of choline (EC50 was 30 ng/ml) and inositol phosphates (EC50 was 10 ng/ml). Calphostin C, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), had little effect on the bFGF-induced formation of choline. bFGF stimulated the formation of choline also in PKC down regulated cells. Genistein and methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate, inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases, significantly suppressed the bFGF-induced formation of choline. Sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, enhanced the bFGF-induced formation of choline. In vitro kinase assay for FGF receptors revealed that FGF receptor 1 and 2 were autophosphorylated after FGF stimulation. bFGF dose-dependently stimulated DNA synthesis of these cells. These results strongly suggest that bFGF activates phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D through the activation of tyrosine kinase, but independently of PKC activated by phosphoinositide hydrolysis in osteoblast-like cells.

Okadaic acid enhances prostaglandin E1-induced alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-like cells: regulation at a point downstream from protein kinase A

We examined the effect of okadaic acid, an inhibitor of protein phosphatase type 1 and 2A, on prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. PGE1 increased ALP activity dose dependently in the range between 10 nM and 0.3 microM in these cells. The pretreatment with okadaic acid enhanced the PGE1-induced ALP activity in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 0.1 and 5 nM. On the other hand, 1-norokadaone, a less potent analogue of okadaic acid, had no effect on the PGE1-induced ALP activity. Tautomycin, an another inhibitor of protein phosphatase type 1 and 2A, also enhanced the PGE1-induced ALP activity. PGE1 stimulated cAMP accumulation dose dependently in the range between 10 nM and 0.3 microM. However, PGE1 had no effect on the formation of inositol phosphates. Okadaic acid did not affect the PGE1-induced cAMP accumulation. Okadaic acid dose dependently enhanced the dibutyryl cAMP-induced ALP activity. These results strongly suggest that protein phosphatase type 1 and/or 2A act as a regulator of ALP activity at a point downstream from protein kinase A in osteoblast-like cells.

Short stature due to growth hormone deficiency associated with Cushing's disease and ulcerative colitis

We report a rare case of Cushing's disease associated with ulcerative colitis in a patient primarily treated with growth hormone due to short stature. At the age of fifteen years, the patient had a short stature due to GHD and was treated with the extracted GH for a short period. At the age of twenty-one years, his body weight gradually increased and, based on the results of several tests, he was diagnosed with Cushing's disease and GHD was observed in our patient. The excess secretion attenuation of pituitary hormones with reduced secretion periods as well as the relation between ulcerative colitis and elevated plasma cortisol concentrations is briefly discussed in this paper.

Function of Ca2+ in phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activation in osteoblast-like cells

We investigated the function of Ca2+ in the activation of phosphatidylcholine (PC)-hydrolyzing phospholipase D (PLD) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. Fetal calf serum (FCS) stimulated the formation of choline in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 0.6% and 10%. The effect of a combination of FCS and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, on the formation of choline was additive. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinases, enhanced the formation of choline induced by FCS. BAPTA/AM, a chelator of intracellular Ca2+, inhibited the formation of choline induced by FCS. The depletion of extracellular Ca2+ by EGTA markedly reduced the FCS-induced formation of choline. SK&F 96365, an inhibitor of receptor-operated Ca2+ entry, significantly inhibited the choline formation induced by FCS. On the other hand, nifedipine, an inhibitor of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, had little effect on the choline formation. TMB-8, an inhibitor of Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular Ca2+ store, significantly inhibited FCS-induced choline formation. These results strongly suggest that Ca2+ mobilization, through both the influx via receptor-operated Ca2+ channel and the release from intracellular Ca2+ store, plays an important role in the activation of PLD in osteoblast-like cells.

Osmoregulation of plasma vasopressin in diabetes mellitus with sustained hyperglycemia

We studied osmoregulation of plasma vasopressin in 5 patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. All patients showed typical symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus such as marked hyperglycemia, polyuria, and polydipsia, but did not have advanced diabetic complications. Vasopressin release was studied using 5% hypertonic saline infusion test twice: before treatment when the patient was hyperglycemic, and after treatment 1 to 2 months later when the patient was euglycemic. Plasma vasopressin was measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay. The mean basal plasma vasopressin value in the patients was significantly higher in the hyperglycemic compared with the euglycemic state (3.75 +/- 0.70 vs 1.18 +/- 0.46 pmol/l, respectively; P < 0.05). The relationship of plasma vasopressin with serum sodium, but not plasma osmolality, during hyperglycemia showed an apparent hypersecretion of vasopressin. In both cases, the sensitivity of the vasopressin response to osmotic stimuli was significantly decreased. During euglycemia, the sensitivity of vasopressin secretion to either sodium or osmolality was almost normal, although a slight rise in the osmostat was observed compared with normal subjects. Together, we found that the positive correlation of vasopressin with sodium or osmolality is maintained but significantly altered in patients with untreated diabetes mellitus. Especially noteworthy is the lowered threshold and decreased sensitivity of osmotically-induced vasopressin secretion during hyperglycemia, which may be caused by multiple factors such as diabetes-associated hypovolemia, osmogenic effects of glucose and other osmoles, depletion of the pool of vasopressin available for release, and the metabolic derangement of osmoreceptor/magnocellular neurons.

Intracerebroventricular injection of adrenomedullin inhibits vasopressin release in conscious rats

The hypotensive peptide, adrenomedullin (AM), was first isolated from the tissue of human pheochromocytoma. Recently, AM-immunoreactivities have been found in the central nervous system, including the supraoptic and the paraventricular nuclei. In this study, the effect of centrally administered AM on arginine vasopressin (AVP) release was investigated in conscious rats. Intracerebroventricular injection of AM (1.0 microgram/rat) partially but significantly attenuated the plasma AVP increase induced by hyperosmolality (intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of hypertonic saline (600 mosmol/kg)) at 30 min after the injection. It also significantly attenuated the plasma AVP increase induced by hypovolemia (i.p. injection of polyethylene glycol) at 30 min after the injection. These results suggest that central AM might play an inhibitory role in both osmo- and baro-regulation of plasma AVP.

Effect of retinoic acid on prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced phospholipase D activity in osteoblast-like cells

We previously reported that prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) activates phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D independently from the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, and reported that pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein (G-protein) is involved in the PGF2 alpha-induced phospholipase D activation. In this study, we examined the effect of retinoic acid (RA) on the phospholipase D activity stimulated by PGF2 alpha in these cells. The pretreatment of RA markedly inhibited the formation of choline induced by PGF2 alpha (10 microM) in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 1 nM and 0.1 microM. This inhibitory effect of RA was dependent on the time of pretreatment up to 8 h. However, RA had little effect on the choline formation induced by NaF, a G-protein activator, or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, an activator of PKC. These results strongly suggest that RA suppresses the phospholipase D activated by PGF2 alpha in osteoblast-like cells and that the effect of RA is exerted at the point between PGF2 alpha receptor and G-protein.

Protein kinase C activation inhibits stress-induced synthesis of heat shock protein 27 in osteoblast-like cells: function of arachidonic acid

Exposure of osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells to sodium arsenite (arsenite) increased the level of heat shock protein 27 (hsp27). The effect of arsenite was dose-dependent in the range of 50 to 200 microM. Arsenite also stimulated arachidonic acid release dose-dependently in the range between 50 and 200 microM in these cells. Both indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, significantly enhanced the arsenite-induced accumulation of hsp27. Melittin, an activator of phospholipase A2, significantly enhanced the arsenite-induced accumulation of hsp27. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol ester, inhibited the arsenite-induced accumulation of hsp27. In contrast, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4 alpha-PDD), a PKC-nonactivating phorbol ester, had little effect. TPA suppressed the arsenite-induced arachidonic acid release, but 4 alpha-PDD had little effect. Arsenite no longer affected cAMP accumulation, inositol phosphates formation nor the formation of choline and phosphocholine in these cells. These results suggest that the response to stress of hsp27 is coupled with the metabolic activity of the arachidonic acid cascade, and the activation of PKC inhibits the induction of hsp27 through the suppression of arachidonic acid release in osteoblast-like cells.

Thrombin induces proliferation of osteoblast-like cells through phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis

We examined the effect of thrombin on phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activity in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. Thrombin stimulated the formation of choline dose dependently in the range between 0.01 and 1 U/ml, but not the phosphocholine formation. Diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP)- inactivated thrombin had little effect on the choline formation. The combined effects of thrombin and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a protein kinase C-activating phorbol ester, on the choline formation were additive. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinases, had little effect on the thrombin-induced formation of choline. Combined addition of thrombin and NaF, an activator of heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein, did not stimulate the formation of choline further. Pertussis toxin had little effect on the thrombin-induced formation of choline. Thrombin stimulated Ca2+ influx from extracellular space time and dose dependently. The depletion of extracellular Ca2+ by EGTA exclusively reduced the thrombin-induced choline formation. Thrombin had only a slight effect on phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C activity. Thrombin induced diacylglycerol formation and DNA synthesis, and increased the number of MC3T3-E1 cells, but DFP-inactivated thrombin did not. Thrombin suppressed both basal and fetal calf serum-induced alkaline phosphatase activity in these cells. Propranolol, an inhibitor of phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase, inhibited both the thrombin-induced diacylglycerol formation and DNA synthesis. These results suggest that thrombin stimulates phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D due to self-induced Ca2+ influx independently of protein kinase C activation in osteoblast-like cells and that its proliferative effect depends on phospholipase D activation.

Molecular analysis of females manifesting thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) deficiency: selective X-chromosome inactivation responsible for the difference between phenotype and genotype in TBG-deficient females

T4-binding globulin (TBG) is the major transport protein of thyroid hormone in man. Inherited TBG abnormalities were manifested fully in hemizygous males and partially in heterozygous females and transmitted in an X-chromosome-linked fashion, compatible with its location on Xq21-22. We have previously reported that complete deficiency (CD) and partial deficiency (PD) in Japanese subjects resulted from two distinct mutations of the TBG gene, TBG-CDJ and TBG-PDJ, respectively. Recently, we encountered a female manifesting TBG-CD and herein investigated the molecular mechanisms. She was found to possess TBG-CDJ and common-type TBG (TBG-C) alleles by characterizing the TBG gene. Then, X-chromosome inactivation status was evaluated in her family members using a phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) gene, located on Xq13. Three TBG-CDJ heterozygotes and one unaffected female, confirmed to be PGK heterozygotes for a polymorphic BstXI site, were analyzed. Only the CD female was shown to undergo selective inactivation by examining the BstXI site in amplified products after digestion with a methylation-sensitive enzyme, HpaII. Among an additional eight informative females with TBG deficiency, one heterozygous female for TBG-PDJ shared this selective inactivation pattern. Moreover, the X-chromosome with TBG-C was suggested to be inactivated selectively from the linkage of PGK and TBG alleles recognized in eight of nine family members. Selective X-chromosome inactivation was considered to be the cause of a female heterozygous for TBG-CDJ or -PDJ manifesting the same phenotype as a hemizygote.

Centrally administered neuropeptide FF inhibits arginine vasopressin release in conscious rats

There is evidence indicating that neuropeptide FF (NPFF) is an endogenous modulator of opioid systems. In the present study, we investigated the effect of centrally administered NPFF on arginine vasopressin (AVP) release in conscious rats. The plasma AVP increase in response to either hyperosmolality [i.p. injection of hypertonic saline (600 mosmol/kg)] or hypovolemia [i.p. injection of polyethylene glycol (PEG)] was significantly blunted when NPFF was injected into the lateral ventricle so that the given drug could act at the hypothalamus and also reach the brain stem (hypertonic saline with 10 micrograms/rat NPFF, 3.28 +/- 0.48 pg/ml; hypertonic saline alone, 7.85 +/- 1.78 pg/ml; PEG with 10 micrograms/rat NPFF, 4.07 +/- 1.40 pg/ml; PEG alone, 8.25 +/- 1.90 pg/ml). The plasma AVP increase in response to PEG-induced hypovolemia was also attenuated significantly and more potently when NPFF was injected into the cisterna magna so that the given drug could be readily accessible to the dorsal medulla where the nucleus of solitary tract is located (10 micrograms/rat; 2.71 +/- 0.14 pg/ml). In contrast, the NPFF injected into the cisterna magna had no significant effect on hyperosmolality-induced AVP release. Treatment with naloxone (10 mg/kg BW, sc) significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of NPFF on AVP release. These results suggest that central NPFF might play an inhibitory role via the hypothalamus in the osmoregulation of plasma AVP and via both the hypothalamus and the nucleus of solitary tract in the baroregulation, and that the intrinsic opioid systems are involved in the action of NPFF.

Tyrosine kinase is involved in angiotensin II-stimulated phospholipase D activation in aortic smooth muscle cells: function of Ca2+ influx

In the present study, we examined the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activity in subcultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC). Ang II dose-dependently stimulated the formation of choline and inositol phosphates. The effect of Ang II on the formation of inositol phosphates (EC50 was 0.249 +/- 0.091 nM) was more potent than that on the formation of choline (EC50 was 2.39 +/- 1.29 nM). A combination of Ang II and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C, additively stimulated the formation of choline. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinases, inhibited the TPA-induced formation of choline, but had little effect on the Ang II-induced choline formation. Ang II stimulated Ca2+ influx from extracellular space time- and dose-dependently. The depletion of extracellular Ca2+ by (ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)) tetraacetic acid (EGTA) significantly reduced the Ang II-induced formation of choline. Genistein and tyrphostin, protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, significantly suppressed the Ang II-induced Ca2+ influx. Genistein and tyrphostin also suppressed the Ang II-induced formation of choline. These results suggest that Ang II stimulates phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D due to Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space in rat aortic SMC, and that protein tyrosine kinase is involved in the Ang II-induced Ca2+ influx, resulting in the promotion of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis.

Gene screening of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) deficiencies in the Japanese: only two mutations account for TBG deficiencies in the Japanese

T4-binding globulin (TBG) is the principal transport protein for thyroid hormone in the circulation. Twelve mutations in the human TBG gene have been reported, and the inheritance of those variant TBGs was shown to be X-chromosome linked. We previously reported a nucleotide deletion at the codon 352 (TBG-CDJ) and a nucleotide substitution at the codon 362 (TBG-PDJ) of the TBG gene in a Japanese male manifesting TBG complete deficiency and partial TBG deficiency, respectively. In this communication we investigate the prevalence of both mutations among 50 unrelated Japanese subjects manifesting complete or partial TBG deficiency from various areas of the Japanese Archipelago. Mutant alleles were identified by amplification of their genomic DNAs by PCR with allele-specific primers. In addition, the presence of a polymorphic mutation in codon 283 (TBG-Poly) in these variants was investigated. All male subjects manifesting complete TBG deficiency (n = 30) and all female subjects manifesting partial TBG deficiency (n = 4) were demonstrated to be hemizygotes and heterozygotes for the mutation of TBG-CDJ, respectively. All male subjects manifesting partial TBG deficiency (n = 16) were shown to have the mutation of TBG-PDJ as hemizygotes. TBG-Poly was consistently absent from these variants. We conclude that only TBG-CDJ and TBG-PDJ may account for complete and partial TBG deficiencies in the Japanese.

Neuropeptide FF reduces food intake in rats

The effect of neuropeptide FF (NPFF), a mammalian FMRFamide-like peptide with antiopioid activity, on food intake was investigated in food-deprived rat. The ICV administration of NPFF (5 or 10 micrograms/rat) reduced food intake during the first 60 min after administration. ICV injection of naloxone (10 or 100 micrograms/rat), an opioid antagonist, also decreased food intake. However, the combination of NPFF and naloxone showed no additivity in the anorexigenic effect, suggesting that NPFF and naloxone reduced food intake by the common mechanism. These results indicate that NPFF may function as an endogenous anorexigenic peptide with anitiopioid function.

A case of primary glucocorticoid resistance

A 79-year-old woman developed hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis after breast cancer surgery. She was suspected of having primary glucocorticoid resistance on the basis of high plasma ACTH and serum cortisol levels without the features of Cushing's syndrome. To clarify the end-organ resistance to cortisol, we characterized the glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in cultured skin fibroblasts from the patient. The GRs in whole cell assays decreased binding affinity (Kd = 11.1 +/- 0.6 nM) and the number of binding sites for [3H]dexamethasone (binding capacity was 15,600 +/- 1,255 sites per cell). These results strongly suggest that our patient had primary glucocorticoid resistance caused both by a decreased number of GRs and a reduction in the affinity of GRs to cortisol.

Gene amplification as a cause of inherited thyroxine-binding globulin excess in two Japanese families

T4-binding globulin (TBG) is the major thyroid hormone transport protein in man. Inherited abnormalities in the level of serum TBG have been classified as partial deficiency, complete deficiency, and excess. Sequencing analysis of the TBG gene, located on Xq21-22, has uncovered the molecular defects causing partial and complete deficiency. However, the mechanism leading to inherited TBG excess remains unknown. In this study, two Japanese families, F-A and F-T, with inherited TBG excess were analyzed. Serum TBG levels in hemizygous males were 58 and 44 micrograms/mL, 3- and 2-fold the normal value, respectively. The molecule had normal properties in terms of heat stability and isoelectric focussing pattern. The sequence of the coding region and the promoter activity of the TBG gene were also indistinguishable between hemizygotes and normal subjects. The gene dosage of TBG relative to that of beta-globin, which is located on chromosome 11, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is located on Xp, was evaluated by coamplification of these target genes using polymerase chain reaction and subsequent quantitation by HPLC. The TBG/beta-globin ratios of the affected male and female of F-A were 3.13 and 4.13 times, respectively, that in the normal males. The TBG/Duchenne muscular dystrophy ratios were 2.92 and 2.09 times the normal value, respectively. These results are compatible with three copies of TBG gene on the affected X-chromosome. Similarly, a 2-fold increase in gene dosage was demonstrated in the affected hemizygote of F-T. A 3-fold tandem amplification of the TBG gene was shown by in situ hybridization of prometaphase and interphase chromosomes from the affected male with a biotinylated genomic TBG probe, confirming the gene dosage results. Gene amplification of TBG is the cause of inherited TBG excess in these two families.

Effect of platelet-derived growth factor on phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D in osteoblast-like cells

We examined the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the activation of phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. PDGF-BB stimulated both the formation of choline (EC50 = 15 ng/ml) and inositol phosphates (EC50 = 5 ng/ml). However, PDGF-BB had little effect on the formation of phosphocholine. The formation of choline stimulated by a combination of PDGF-BB and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol ester, was additive. H-7, an inhibitor of protein kinases, inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced choline formation, whereas HA1004, a control for H-7 as PKC inhibitor, had little effect. Neither H-7 nor HA1004 affected the PDGF-BB-induced formation of choline. Genistein and methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate, inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases, dose dependently inhibited the PDGF-BB-induced formation of choline. PDGF-BB stimulated Ca2+ influx from extracellular space. PDGF-BB-induced choline formation was significantly reduced by chelating extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA. PDGF-BB stimulated DNA synthesis of MC3YT3-E1 cells, and H-7 inhibited the DNA synthesis. These results strongly suggest that PDGF activates phosphatidyl-choline-hydrolyzing phospholipase D independently from PKC activated by phosphoinositide hydrolysis in osteoblast-like cells, and that both tyrosine kinase activation and Ca2+ influx are essential for this mechanism.

Precise localization of the human thyroxine-binding globulin gene to chromosome Xq22.2 by fluorescence in situ hybridization

The human thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) gene has been localized to X chromosome (Xq22.2) by in situ hybridization using a biotinylated gDNA probe. This is consistent with previous mapping of the TBG gene to chromosome Xq21-q22.

Thromboxane A2-stimulated phospholipase D in osteoblast-like cells: possible involvement of PKC

We examined the effect of thromboxane A2 (TxA2) on phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activity in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. 9,11-Epithio-11,12-methanothromboxane A2 (STA2), a stable analogue of TxA2, stimulated the formations of both choline and inositol phosphates in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 10 nM and 10 microM. The formation of choline stimulated by a combination of STA2 and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), a protein kinase C-activating phorbol ester, was not additive. 1-(5-Isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), an inhibitor of protein kinases, suppressed the formation of choline induced by STA2 as well as that by TPA, but 20 microM N-(2-guanidinoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (HA-1004), a control for H-7 as a protein kinase C inhibitor, had little effect. Calphostin C, a potent and specific inhibitor of protein kinase C, also suppressed the formation of choline induced by STA2. The STA2-induced formation of choline was significantly reduced by chelating extracellular Ca2+ with ethylene glycol-bis(beta-amino-ethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. STA2 dose dependently stimulated 45Ca2+ influx from extracellular space. STA2 stimulated DNA synthesis of MC3T3-E1 cells and increased the number of these cells. These results suggest that TxA2 stimulates phospholipase D in osteoblast-like cells, resulting in the direction of their proliferation, and that the activation of protein kinase C is involved in the stimulation of phospholipase D.

Effect of prostaglandin E2 on phospholipase D activity in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells

Recent evidence indicates that phosphatidylcholine breakdown by phospholipase D (PLD) is an important cellular control mechanism. We investigated the signaling pathway participating in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced PLD activation in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. PGE2 stimulated PLD activity, as measured by choline generated from phosphatidylcholine, just after the stimulation. The reaction reached a plateau 15 minutes later. PGE2 stimulated PLD activity in a dose-related manner and also increased inositol phosphate (IP) formation. However, the EC50 value for PGE2-induced IP formation is lower than that for PLD activation. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, stimulated PLD activity, and a combination of PGE2 and TPA potentiated it in an additive manner. Although NaF, a heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein activator, significantly stimulated PLD activity, this effect was not augmented by combination with PGE2. PGE2-induced PLD activity was markedly suppressed by either chelating extracellular Ca2+ by EGTA or pertussis toxin. These findings suggest that osteoblasts might have at least two PLD activation mechanisms which involve PKC-dependent or -independent pathways. However, present results indicate that PKC is unlikely to be essential to PGE2-induced PLD activation. On the contrary, pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein and extracellular Ca2+ might play important roles in the pathway of PGE2-induced PLD activation.

Function of Ca2+ influx in phospholipase D activation induced by prostaglandin F2 alpha in osteoblast-like cells: involvement of tyrosine kinase

We previously reported that prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) induces Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space via protein tyrosine kinase in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and that PGF2 alpha stimulates phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D in these cells (6, 12). In this study, we examined the relationship between the tyrosine kinase-regulated Ca2+ influx by PGF2 alpha and the activation of phospholipase D in MC3T3-E1 cells. The depletion of extracellular Ca2+ by [ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)]tetraacetic acid (EGTA) markedly reduced the PGF2 alpha-induced formation of choline. Genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, which by itself had little effect on choline formation, significantly suppressed the formation of choline induced by PGF2 alpha in a dose-dependent manner. Tyrphostin, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases chemically distinct from genistein, also suppressed the PGF2 alpha-induced formation of choline. Sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, significantly enhanced the PGF2 alpha-induced formation of choline. These results strongly suggest that the phospholipase D activation by PGF2 alpha is dependent on extracellular Ca2+ in osteoblast-like cells and that protein tyrosine kinase is involved in the activation of phospholipase D.

Mechanism of phospholipase D activation induced by extracellular ATP in osteoblast-like cells

We have previously reported that extracellular ATP stimulates Ca2+ influx from extracellular space, resulting in the production of prostaglandin E2 which mediates, at least in part, its proliferative effect on osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, and that the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) stimulates phospholipase D in these cells. In the present study, we examined the effect of extracellular ATP on phosphatidylcholine-hydrolysing phospholipase D activity in MC3T3-E1 cells. ATP stimulated the formation of both choline and inositol phosphates dose-dependently in the range between 0.1 and 1 mM. The formation of choline by a combination of ATP and NaF, an activator of GTP-binding protein, was synergistic, whereas that of inositol phosphates was not. A combination of ATP and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a PKC activating phorbol ester, additively stimulated the formation of choline. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of PKC, had little effect on ATP-stimulated formation of choline. Choline formation was significantly reduced by chelating extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA, while being inhibited by W-7, an antagonist of calmodulin. These results suggest that extracellular ATP stimulates phospholipase D in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent manner in osteoblast-like cells, and that neither PKC activation nor GTP-binding protein is involved in this mechanism.

Two novel mutations in the coding region for neurophysin-II associated with familial central diabetes insipidus

Familial central diabetes insipidus is an autosomal dominant disease caused by a deficiency of arginine vasopressin (AVP). We previously reported three distinct mutations in the AVP gene in Japanese familial central diabetes insipidus pedigrees that result in a substitution of Ser for Gly57 in the neurophysin-II (NPII) moiety of the AVP precursor, a substitution of Thr for Ala at the COOH-terminus of the signal peptide, and a deletion of Glu47 in the NPII moiety. In this study, we analyzed the AVP gene in two pedigrees by direct sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA and found two novel mutations in exon 2, which encodes the central part of the NPII moiety of the precursor. The mutation in one pedigree was a C to A transition at nucleotide position 1891, which replaces Cys67 (TGC) with stop codon (TGA). As the premature termination eliminates part of the COOH domain of the NPII moiety and the glycoprotein moiety, the conformation of the truncated protein is likely to be markedly different from that of normal precursor. In another pedigree, a G to T transversion was detected at nucleotide position 1874, which substitutes polar Trp (TGG) for hydrophobic Gly62 (GGG). It is possible that mutated NPII molecules, as a consequence of a conformational change, cannot bind AVP or self-associate to form higher oligomer complexes. Interestingly, all mutations we have identified to date, with the exception of the signal peptide mutation, are located in exon 2, suggesting the importance of the highly conserved central part of the NPII molecules and/or the NPII moiety in the precursor for AVP synthesis.

Genistein inhibits potentiation by wortmannin of protein kinase C-activated phospholipase D in osteoblast-like cells

We previously showed that protein kinase C (PKC) induces phosphatidylcholine-hydrolysing phospholipase D activation in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and that tyrosine kinase is involved in this activation. Wortmannin, a potent inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, markedly enhanced the formation of choline induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of PKC in MC3T3-E1 cells. The effect of wortmannin was dose-dependent between 0.1 microM and 10 microM. ML-7, an inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase, had little effect on the TPA-induced formation of choline. Genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, significantly suppressed the potentiation by wortmannin. These results strongly suggest that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is involved in the regulation of phospholipase D activation by PKC in osteoblast-like cells.

Glucocorticoid amplifies vasopressin-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis in aortic smooth muscle cells

It has been reported that glucocorticoid modifies phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis stimulated by vasoactive agents in vascular smooth muscle cells. In the present study, we investigated the point at which glucocorticoid affects vasopressin-induced PI hydrolysis in primary cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. The pretreatment with dexamethasone significantly amplified the formation of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) induced by vasopressin in a dose-dependent manner in a range of 1 pM to 10 nM. The effect of dexamethasone was dependent on the time of pretreatment up to 8 h. Dexamethasone had little effect on the number of vasopressin receptor and its affinity to vasopressin. The pretreatment with dexamethasone also amplified the formation of IP3 induced by NaF, a GTP-binding protein activator, or angiotensin II. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol ester, significantly reduced the dexamethasone-induced enhancement of IP3 formation stimulated by vasopressin, angiotensin II or NaF 4 alpha-Phorbol-12, 13-didecanoate, a PKC-nonactivating phorbol ester, had little effect on the enhancement by dexamethasone. These results strongly suggest that glucocorticoid amplifies vasopressin-induced PI hydrolysis at a point downstream from GTP-binding protein in primary cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells, and that the activation of PKC has a negative feedback effect on the amplification by glucocorticoid of vasopressin-induced PI hydrolysis.

Vasopressin activates phospholipase D through pertussis toxin-insensitive GTP-binding protein in aortic smooth muscle cells: function of Ca2+/calmodulin

In the present study, we examined the effect of vasopressin (AVP) on phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activity in primary cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. AVP stimulation of choline formation was dose dependent. The time-course was quite different from those of inositol phosphates. The effect of AVP on the formation of inositol phosphates (EC50 was 3 nM) was more potent than that on the formation of choline (EC50 was 30 nM). 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), stimulated the formation of choline. However, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, which is inactive for PKC, had little effect. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinases, which inhibited the TPA-induced formation of choline, had little effect on the AVP-induced formation of choline. Neither calphostin C, a highly specific PKC inhibitor, nor PKC down-regulation with TPA affected AVP-induced formation of choline. A combination of AVP and TPA additively stimulated the formation of choline. The depletion of extracellular Ca2+ by (ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid significantly reduced the AVP-induced formation of choline. W-7, an antagonist of calmodulin, inhibited the AVP-induced formation of choline in a dose-dependent manner. NaF, an activator for GTP-binding protein (G-protein), stimulated the formation of choline. However, the formation of choline by a combination of AVP and NaF was not additive. Pertussis toxin had little effect on the AVP-induced formation of choline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) mRNA in rat brain: possible role of endogenous PACAP in vasopressin release

We investigated the expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) mRNA in rat brain by in situ hybridization. PACAP mRNA was prominently expressed in arcuate nucleus (ARC). Three days of water deprivation significantly increased plasma arginine vasopressin and markedly potentiated the expression of PACAP mRNA in ARC. These results suggest that PACAP in ARC may play some physiological role, possibly one of which may be the control of vasopressin release.

Tyrosine kinase regulates phospholipase D activation at a point downstream from protein kinase C in osteoblast-like cells

It has recently been shown that the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) induces protein tyrosine phosphorylation in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. We previously reported that the activation of PKC stimulates phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D in these cells. In this study, we examined whether protein tyrosine kinase is involved in the PKC-induced activation of phospholipase D in MC3T3-E1 cells. Genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, which by itself had little effect on choline formation, significantly suppressed the formation of choline induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of PKC, in a dose-dependent manner. Tyrphostin, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases chemically distinct from genistein, also dose-dependently suppressed the TPA-induced formation of choline. Sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, significantly enhanced the TPA-induced formation of choline in a dose-dependent manner. These results strongly suggest that protein tyrosine kinase regulates phospholipase D activity at a point downstream from PKC in osteoblast-like cells.

Mechanism of phospholipase D activation induced by prostaglandin D2 in osteoblast-like cells: function of Ca2+/calmodulin

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) stimulated the formation of choline in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 10 nM and 10 microM. The effect of PGD2 on the formation of inositol phosphates (EC50 was 20 nM) was more potent than that on the formation of choline (EC50 was 0.5 microM). The formation of choline stimulated by a combination of PGD2 and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C, was additive. Staurosporine, an inhibitor for protein kinases, enhanced the PGD2-induced formation of choline, but H-7, another inhibitor for protein kinases, had little effect. PGD2 stimulated Ca2+ influx from extracellular space dose-dependently. The depletion of extracellular Ca2+ by EGTA reduced the PGD2-induced formation of choline. W-7 and trifluoperazine dihydrochloride, antagonists of calmodulin, dose-dependently inhibited the PGD2-induced choline formation. These results strongly suggest that PGD2 activates phospholipase D in a Ca2+/calmodulin dependent manner in osteoblast-like cells, and that protein kinase C is not essential for the PGD2-induced activation of phospholipase D.

Pamidronate treatment in patients with tumor-associated hypercalcemia: pharmacological effects and pharmacokinetics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pamidronate, a second generation bisphosphonate, on the change in calcium homeostasis in patients with tumor-associated hypercalcemia. Eight patients with tumor-associated hypercalcemia received intravenous infusion of pamidronate (45 mg) and their high mean serum calcium concentration significantly decreased from 3.56 mmol/L to 2.62 mmol/L7 days after treatment. Serum intact PTH before treatment had been suppressed to below normal in all patients but returned to normal range in six patients within 7 days after treatment. Urinary PTH related peptide (PTHrP) excretion before treatment had been elevated in seven patients and then significantly increased further after pamidronate therapy. The serum bone Gla protein concentration was not apparently changed by the treatment. Pamidronate in serum was rapidly eliminated after the treatment and urinary excretion reached a plateau on the second day (13.8% of the administered dose), suggesting that the major portion of the infused dose had been distributed to the bone and other tissues. These findings suggest that pamidronate has a potent hypocalcemic effect and that PTHrP production in malignant tumors could be affected by pamidronate therapy.