Protein kinase C activity and reactivity to phorbol ester in vascular smooth muscle from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY)

Protein kinase C (PKC) activity in aortic and renal arterial smooth muscle from SHR (20-23 wk male; mean arterial pressure = 178 mm Hg) and WKY (age/sex matched; mean arterial pressure = 126 mm Hg) was quantitated. Activity was greatest in the particulate fractions relative to the soluble fractions in all sources. The only difference between SHR and WKY was in the soluble fraction from SHR renal arteries, which had 2 fold more activity (255 pmol/mg/min) when compared with WKY (136 pmol/mg/min). This difference was not apparently related to force modulation, since the magnitude of isometric force development in renal arteries in response to phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate was not different between SHR and WKY. The magnitude of force developed in response to phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate and PKC activity in the particulate fraction was greatest in aorta vs. renal arteries in both WKY and SHR. These results suggest that regional vascular differences in the amount of PKC activity may exist which are not apparently related to a disease state (i.e., hypertension). These differences may be related to differential sensitivity to phorbol ester-mediated contractions in isolated smooth muscle.

Correlation of the antiproliferative action of diphenylmethane-derivative antiestrogen binding site ligands with antagonism of histamine binding but not of protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation

The nonestrogen receptor-mediated antiproliferative action of antiestrogen binding site (AEBS) ligands, including triphenylethylene antiestrogens and phenothiazines, has been linked to their ability to inhibit protein kinase C (PKC). Recent studies indicate that some diphenylmethane derivatives inhibit growth, are potent AEBS ligands, and antagonize histamine binding at an AEBS-related histamine site different from H1 and H2. Three novel diphenylmethane derivatives, N,N-diethyl-2-[4-(phenylmethyl)phenoxy]ethanamine.HCI (DPPE), 4-decanoyl-DPPE (dec-DPPE), and 4-benzylphenyl decanoate (BPD) were studied in an attempt to determine whether PKC or histamine interactions best correlate with their antiproliferative effects. Platelet aggregation and the phosphorylation of a platelet Mr 47,000 protein (p47) induced by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) represent two processes mediated by PKC. DPPE inhibits PMA-induced aggregation [50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 31.2 +/- 2.4 (SEM) x 10(-6) M] but does not significantly inhibit either PMA-induced phosphorylation of Mr 47,000 protein (IC50 greater than 500 x 10(-6) M), or binding of [3H]phorbol dibutyrate to platelets. dec-DPPE is a more potent inhibitor of PMA-induced platelet aggregation (IC50 = 18.8 +/- 0.7 x 10(-6) M), a weak inhibitor of Mr 47,000 phosphorylation (IC50 = 80-200 x 10(-6) M), but is without effect on [3H]phorbol dibutyrate binding. BPD, which lacks the alkylaminoethoxy side chain necessary for binding to the AEBS/DPPE site, is devoid of anti-PMA effects. These results are compared to the inhibition of [3H]histamine binding in rat cortex membranes (Ki value for DPPE = 0.83 +/- 0.62 x 10(-6) M; Ki value for dec-DPPE = 6.6 +/- 3.5 x 10(-6) M; BPD is inactive) and growth inhibition of MCF-7 cells (IC50 value for DPPE = 4.5 x 10(-6) M; IC50 value for dec-DPPE = 1.5 x 10(-5) M; BPD is ineffective at all concentrations tested). Thus, while dec-DPPE is a more potent inhibitor of PKC-mediated phosphorylation, DPPE is a more potent inhibitor of histamine binding and is correspondingly more antiproliferative than dec-DPPE. The results support a relationship between antagonism of histamine binding and growth inhibition but argue against an association between the antiproliferative effects of DPPE and dec-DPPE and inhibition of PKC. The findings for DPPE suggest that platelet response to PMA, antagonized by diphenylmethane-type AEBS-ligands, may be mediated, at least in part, by mechanisms other than activation of protein kinase C-dependent phosphorylation.

Stimulation of mitogenesis and glucose transport by 1-monooleoylglycerol in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts

1-Monooleoylglycerol (MOG), a recently reported diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor (Bishop, W. R., Ganong, B. R., and Bell, R. M. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 6993-7000), exerts potent stimulatory effects on [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and glucose transport in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. MOG induces a rapid and sustained 2.5-fold increase in the cellular 1,2-diacylglycerol (1,2-DG) content, and phosphorylation of an acidic 80-kDa protein, a putative substrate for the protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase). The effect of MOG is additive to that of bombesin in terms of both an increase in tissue diacylglycerol content and phosphorylation of the 80-kDa proteins. In addition to these effects, MOG potently stimulates release of arachidonic acid from phospholipids. Inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase have little effect, if any, on MOG-induced stimulation of glucose transport and DNA synthesis, while exogenously applied arachidonic readily stimulates both of these cellular responses. Furthermore, arachidonic acid, at its biologically active concentrations, is found to induce a rapid and sustained increase in cellular 1,2-DG content and stimulate the phosphorylation of the 80-kDa protein, although to a lesser extent than MOG. Prolonged pretreatment of the cells with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, which reduces the cellular protein kinase C content, markedly attenuates the effects of both MOG and arachidonic acid on glucose transport and DNA synthesis. These data indicate that MOG increases endogenous 1,2-DG content and thereby acts as a potent activator of protein kinase C, and that activation of protein kinase C is a crucial step in MOG-induced stimulation of mitogenesis and glucose transport.

Rapid screening method for inhibitors of protein kinase C

Specific inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) were screened for with a unique detection system, named bleb forming assay. When K562, a human chronic myeloid leukemia cell, was treated with phorbol 12,13-dibutylate (PDBu) or teleocidin which are activators of PKC, many blebs appeared on the cell surface of K562 within 10 minutes. This appearance of blebs is inhibited by staurosporine and H7 which are known to be PKC inhibitors. Teleocidin and PDBu did not induce bleb formation of HL60, a human acute promyelocytic leukemia cell, and the mouse Friend leukemia cell, even though their morphology was changed 24 hours after treatment with teleocidin or PDBu. Many inducers of terminal differentiation of K562 have the same effect on HL60 and Friend cells. However, the bleb inducing activity of PKC activators seems to be specific for K562. The bleb forming assay satisfied the criteria (simplicity and specificity) required for preliminary screening of activators or inhibitors of PKC. Teleocidins A and B, and tautomycin (a new antibiotic isolated in our laboratory) were identified as activators of PKC, and also staurosporine and isoflavones (daidzein and genistein) as inhibitors.

Stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange by insulin and phorbol ester during differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Relation to hexose uptake

Acute exposure of 3T3-L1 undifferentiated fibroblasts to insulin or 4 beta-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) produced a moderate but significant stimulation of hexose transport (100% stimulation). In differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, stimulation by insulin increased significantly (to 340%), while that by PDB remained at 130%. Total protein kinase C activity was 3-fold higher in 3T3-L1 fibroblast than adipocyte homogenates. PDB, but not insulin, induced migration of protein kinase C from the cytosol to the membrane, in both fibroblasts and adipocytes. Moreover, the hormone increased by 15% the protein kinase C activity of the cytosol. In 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, both insulin and PDB elicited a rapid (2 min lag) cytoplasmic alkalinization, measured with the fluorescent pH indicator bis-carboxyethyl carboxyfluorescein trapped in the cytoplasm. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, PDB but not insulin elicited the cytoplasmic alkalinization. The alkalinization was prevented by amiloride or by replacing Na+ with either N-methylglucamine+ or K+. Stimulation of hexose transport by insulin or PDB was not affected by amiloride or Na+ substitution. It is concluded that: 1) Insulin and PDB have different effects on protein kinase C activity and subcellular distribution; 2) the responses of Na+/H+ exchange and hexose transport to insulin and PDB develop independently during differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells; 3) stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange and of hexose transport occur in parallel rather than in series in 3T3-L1 cells.

Generation of neutrophil chemotactic activity by phorbol ester-stimulated calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Chemotactic activity for human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) was detected in serum-free conditioned media 1 to 4 hr after monolayers of calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells were pretreated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Chemotactic activity was increased in conditioned media following pretreatment with either PMA or the less lipophilic active phorbol ester, 4-beta-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (P(Bu)2) in a dose-dependent manner. Chemotactic activity of conditioned media from PMA-treated endothelial cells was confirmed by checkerboard analysis. The chemotactic activity in conditioned media from PMA-pretreated endothelial cells was completely inhibited by pretreating endothelial cells with either cycloheximide, actinomycin D, or the lipooxygenase inhibitor, diethylcarbamazine. Furthermore, the chemotactic activity was heat-stable, inhibited by trypsin treatment, and present in both aqueous and lipid phases after ether extraction. The data demonstrate that pulmonary artery endothelial cells exposed to active phorbol esters release potent chemotactic factor(s) for PMNL. These findings suggest a role for activators of protein kinase C in mediating endothelial cell release of chemotactic factor(s) that may be important in the directed migration of circulating leukocytes to sites of vascular injury.

Activation of protein kinase C attenuates prostaglandin E2 responses in a colonic cell line

We examined the possibility that the protein kinase C pathway may interact with the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) pathway in intestinal epithelium by studying the influence of phorbol esters on the response to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a colonic epithelial cell line. Pretreatment of T84 cells with 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) markedly attenuated the rise in short-circuit current provoked by PGE2, a receptor-mediated cAMP agonist. The EC50 of this effect was 52 nM PDB with a half time of 4-6 min. The responses to nonreceptor-mediated agonists, forskolin and dibutyryl cAMP, were unaffected by phorbol ester. PDB also reduced the ability of PGE2 to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in these cells. The accumulation of cAMP in response to PGE2 was inhibited by PDB (EC50 38 nM), an effect mimicked by the diacylglycerol analogue 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol. In addition, PGE2 stimulation of adenylate cyclase in membranes from PDB-treated cells was reduced by 30-40%. Inhibition was not mediated via the catalytic or regulatory subunit of the adenylate cyclase, implying an action involving desensitization of PGE2 receptors. These results provide evidence of a complex interrelationship between protein kinase C- and cAMP-mediated pathways that might be important in regulating the cellular response to secretagogues.

Induction of morphological change of human myeloid leukemia and activation of protein kinase C by a novel antibiotic, tautomycin

A novel antibiotic tautomycin induced many blebs on the surface of K562 human chronic myeloid leukemia cells, similar to the morphological changes induced by phorbol esters. However, tautomycin did not induce nitroblue tetrazolium reducing activity, when HL60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells were caused to differentiate by quinomycin into mature granulocytes. It did not induce spread of HL60 cells, one of the phenotypes of mature macrophages. In addition, it did not compete with phorbol dibutyrate to bind to the cell surface of K562 cells. However, tautomycin significantly activated protein kinase C (PKC) extracted from K562 cells. These results indicate that tautomycin is a new activator of PKC, distinct from phorbol esters.

Modulation of cellular phorbol ester binding and/or protein kinase C activity by human placental fractions

We describe two factors in human placenta that modulate the interaction of phorbol ester tumor promoters with cell membranes or with protein kinase C. One, phorbol ester binding inhibitory factor, can inhibit binding of [3H]phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate to cultured cells or to a membrane fraction but does not inhibit its binding to a homogeneous C kinase preparation (phorbol ester binding sites). The other, C kinase activating factor, stimulates C kinase activity in a calcium-dependent manner. We separated these two biochemical activities from a crude human placental fraction by gel filtration.

Activators of protein kinase C potentiate electrically stimulated hormone secretion from the rat's isolated neurohypophysis

Two activators of protein kinase C, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) and 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG), augment electrically stimulated vasopressin and oxytocin secretion from the nerve terminals of the isolated rat neurointermediate lobe. The increased hormone release produced by PDBu is specific to the beta-phorbol conformation, and is dependent upon electrical stimulation in the presence of calcium. Furthermore, the potentiation of release was evident during low frequency stimulation (4 Hz) but not when the same number of pulses were applied at 20 Hz. This occlusion of the phorbol ester's effect by high-frequency stimulation suggests that activation of protein kinase C may play a role in the normal process of frequency-dependent facilitation of secretion in the neurohypophysial system.

Phosphorylation of lamin B at the nuclear membrane by activated protein kinase C

Both bryostatin 1 and 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PBt2) activate Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) at the plasma membrane in HL-60 cells (Kraft, A. S., Baker, V. V., and May, W. S. (1987) Oncogene 1, 91-100). However, whereas PBt2 causes HL-60 cells to cease dividing and differentiate, bryostatin 1 antagonizes this effect and allows cells to continue proliferating. To test whether these divergent effects could be due to the differential activation of protein kinase C at the nuclear level, the phosphorylation of nuclear envelope polypeptides was evaluated in cells treated with either bryostatin 1 or PBt2. Bryostatin 1, either alone or in combination with PBt2, but not PBt2 alone, mediates rapid and specific phosphorylation of several nuclear envelope polypeptides. A major target for bryostatin-induced phosphorylation is the major nuclear envelope polypeptide lamin B (Mr = 67,000, pI 6.0). In vitro studies combining purified protein kinase C and HL-60 cell nuclear envelopes demonstrate that bryostatin activates protein kinase C to phosphorylate lamin B, whereas PBt2 does so only weakly, suggesting selective activation of this enzyme toward this substrate. Comparative phosphopeptide and phosphoamino acid analyses demonstrate that bryostatin induces phosphorylation of identical serine sites on lamin B both in whole cells and in vitro. Treatment of whole cells with bryostatin, but not PBt2, leads to specific translocation of activated protein kinase C to the nuclear envelope. Since phosphorylation of lamin B is known to be involved in nuclear lamina depolymerization at the time of mitosis, it is possible that bryostatin-activated protein kinase C activity is involved in this process. Finally, specific activation of protein kinase C at the nuclear membrane could explain, at least in part, the divergent effects of bryostatin 1 and PBt2 on HL-60 cell growth.

Decreased levels of protein kinase C in Alzheimer brain

Protein kinase C (PK-C) levels were determined using [3H]phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) binding and the in vitro phosphorylation of histone H I (III-S), in autopsied human frontal cortex of age- and postmortem time-matched normal and Alzheimer patients. PK-C levels in Alzheimer particulate fractions determined by both methods were about 50% of those in controls. PK-C levels in Alzheimer cytosol fractions were not significantly different from those in controls. In a parallel study, we measured the phosphorylation of a Mr 86,000 protein (P86), the major protein kinase C substrate in the cytosol fraction prepared from Alzheimer frontal cortex, and found it to be reduced to 43% of that in control brains. This reduction in P86 protein phosphorylation compared to controls was not detected in brain samples prepared from demented patients without Alzheimer's disease. We considered 3 extraneous factors (postmortem delay, age and sex) which may have affected the extent of P86 phosphorylation and concluded that the reduced P86 phosphorylation in the Alzheimer samples is not due to any of them. Reduced PK-C levels and Mr 86,000 protein phosphorylation may reflect a biochemical deficit related specifically to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Alterations in bidirectional transmembrane calcium flux occur without changes in protein kinase C levels in rat aorta during sepsis

A depression in aortic contractility has been previously demonstrated in rat intraperitoneal sepsis and during endotoxemia. In this study, we determined whether the mobilization of extracellular calcium (using 45Ca) and the release of intracellular calcium are altered in septic rat aorta when compared to sham-operated controls. The concentration of protein kinase C was also determined by using [3H] phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu). We found that calcium influx was unaltered under basal conditions but that the ability of norepinephrine (NE) to augment influx was significantly depressed (P less than .05; [control vs. septic, 572 +/- 54 [SE] vs. 428 +/- 30 mumol Ca2+/kg dry wt. aorta]). Calcium influx stimulated by high K+ was unchanged in aortae between control and septic animals. In the presence of NE, calcium efflux (an indirect measurement of intracellular calcium release) was significantly diminished (P less than .001) in aortae from septic rats. The concentration of aortic protein kinase C as assessed by PDBu binding sites was unaltered in septic rats when compared with controls. In conclusion, we found that during sepsis alpha 1-adrenergic receptor activation of both calcium influx and efflux by NE is decreased; these alterations could be related to the depressed aortic contractility observed in sepsis.

Role of phosphoinositide-derived second messengers in mediating anti-IgM-induced growth arrest of WEHI-231 B lymphoma cells

Anti-IgM irreversibly inhibits the growth of WEHI-231 B lymphoma cells and induces phosphoinositide hydrolysis--producing diacylglycerol, which activates protein kinase C, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, which induces the release of calcium from intracellular storage sites into the cytoplasm, and other inositol polyphosphates. The roles of two of the possible second messengers, cytoplasmic free calcium and diacylglycerol, in mediating the action of anti-IgM on WEHI-231 cells were assessed by elevating [Ca2+]i with ionomycin and by activating protein kinase C with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PdBu). The combination of 250 nM ionomycin and 4 to 7 nM PdBu was found to cause growth arrest and cell volume decrease responses in WEHI-231 cells which were similar to those caused by anti-IgM, although clearly slower. Both anti-IgM and the combination of mimicking reagents induced growth arrest of WEHI-231 cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. In both cases, this growth arrest was mitigated by addition of bacterial LPS. Moreover, 250 nM ionomycin plus 4 to 7 nM PdBu did not inhibit the growth of two other murine B lymphoma cell lines, each of which did exhibit increased phosphoinositide hydrolysis but not growth arrest in response to anti-Ig. Taken together, these results suggest that ionomycin and PdBu, at the concentrations used, did not inhibit WEHI-231 growth by general toxicity, but rather by mimicking the effects of the natural second messengers generated from Ag receptor cross-linking. Thus, the phosphoinositide-derived second messengers Ca2+i and diacylglycerol are capable of playing important roles in mediating the action of anti-IgM on WEHI-231 B lymphoma cells. However, the response of WEHI-231 cells to anti-IgM could not be fully reproduced with ionomycin and phorbol diester. These results suggest that another second messenger induced by anti-IgM may also play an important role in mediating the growth arrest of these cells.

Evidence for separate control by phorbol esters of CD18-dependent adhesion and translocation of protein kinase C in U-937 cells

Treatment of U-937 GTB cells with tumor-promoting phorbol esters induced adherence of the cells to plastic, with a t1/2 of 20 min. The ED50 was determined to 3.3 nM for phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate and 0.3 nM for 12-O-tetradecanoyl-4 beta-phorbol-13-acetate, whereas the non-tumor-promoting analogue 12-O-tetradecanoyl-4 alpha-phorbol-13-acetate was ineffective at concentrations up to 100 nM. The adherence process showed characteristics typical of leucocyte adhesion and was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to the leucocyte adhesion molecule CD18. The sublines of U-937, RES and RESREV made resistant to the action of low doses of phorbol ester regarding inhibition of DNA synthesis and containing lower levels of protein kinase C compared to U-937 GTB, were desensitized with respect to the adhesion response. Translocation of protein kinase C from cytosol to the particulate fraction occurred at about 10-fold higher concentrations of phorbol ester than the adhesion response in U-937 GTB cells, under otherwise similar conditions, whereas no difference in sensitivity was observed between the sublines. Also phorbol ester stimulation of choline incorporation into lipids exhibited lower sensitivity compared to the adhesion response with no difference observed between the various cell lines. The results indicate that CD18-dependent adhesion, like DNA synthesis, is controlled by phorbol esters in a manner unrelated to the translocation of protein kinase C and that the control mechanism might involve forms of protein kinase C which are subject to stable down-modulation following TPA adaption of the cells.

Dual action of protein kinase C activation in the regulation of insulin release by muscarinic agonist from rat insulinoma cell line (RINr)

The role of protein kinase C in muscarinic agonist-induced insulin release from rat insulinoma cells was investigated. The dose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion by carbamylcholine (carbachol) was associated with dose-dependent increase in the release of 3H-inositolphosphates from prelabeled rat insulinoma cell line (RINr) cells. After preincubation with 32P-orthophosphates, carbachol also evoked a rapid decrease in 32P-labeling of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphophate with concomitant increase in 32P-labeling of phosphatidic acid. Furthermore, carbachol significantly increased membrane-associated protein kinase C activity with a simultaneous decrease of its activity in cytosol. Although phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), a protein kinase C activator, also stimulated insulin release, insulin secretion induced by concomitant administration of carbachol and PDBu was clearly less than the level expected on the basis of an additive action. Moreover, PDBu significantly inhibited inositolphospholipid turnover stimulated by carbachol. Finally, PDBu inhibited the binding of 3H-scopolamine binding revealed that PDBu decreased the number of muscarinic receptors without altering its affinity. These findings suggest that activation of protein kinase C not only mediates muscarinic stimulation of insulin secretion from RINr cells but also operates a negative feedback mechanism in a signal transduction system, at least in part, via down-regulation of muscarinic receptors.

Phorbol ester-induced hippocampal long-term potentiation is counteracted by inhibitors of protein kinase C

As was shown previously (Reymann et al. 1988), the protein kinase C (PKC)-inhibitor polymyxin B prevents the maintenance of electrically induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission to CA1 neurons, indicating that posttranslational phosphorylation processes mediated by PKC are involved in mechanisms underlying this form of synaptic plasticity. To make sure that 1.) the polymyxin B actually acts against PKC activation and 2.) the long-lasting potentiation elicited by phorbol esters (Malenka et al. 1986) is mediated by PKC-activation, we have tested polymyxin B as well as the potent PKC-inhibitor K-252b during phorbol ester-induced LTP. 4-beta-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) - a known activator of protein kinase C, induces a remarkable potentiation at concentrations as low as 0.5 microM. When 20 microM polymyxin B or 40 nM K-252b was administered to rat hippocampal slices prior to such a weak phorbol ester treatment, this potentiation did not develop with the exception of a small increase in the population spike in spite of polymyxin B-treatment (42% instead of 120% increase at 2 h after PDBu). In contrast, spike potentiation induced by high concentrations of PDBu (10 microM) could not be counteracted by 100 microM polymyxin B. It is concluded that at low concentrations the phorbol ester-induced potentiation is mainly mediated by a selective activation of protein kinase C and that the prevented maintenance of electrically induced LTP by polymyxin B is in fact due to inhibition of this kinase. The spike potentiation developed faster than that of the EPSP raising the possibility that PDBu activates two separate PKC-dependent processes.

Phorbol ester modulates serotonin-stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

Stimulation of cultured rabbit aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) with serotonin (5HT) induced a rapid generation of inositol phosphates from receptor-mediated hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids. Pretreatment of these cells with 500ng/ml of pertussis toxin for 24h prior to addition of 5HT reduced 5HT-induced formation of inositol phosphates. Phorbol esters, such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), are known to activate protein kinase C (PKC), but their role on cultured VSMC stimulated by 5HT has not been defined. TPA exhibited a rapid inhibition of 5HT-stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown, although 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (4 alpha PDD), an inactive phorbol ester, did not inhibit it. These data suggest that a guanine nucleotide inhibitory (Gi) protein couples 5HT receptor to phospholipase C and TPA modulates 5HT-stimulated hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids in cultured VSMC through activation of PKC.

Phorbol esters stimulate the potassium-induced release of cholecystokinin from slices of cerebral cortex, caudato-putamen and hippocampus incubated in vitro

Incubation of slices of caudato-putamen, cerebral cortex and hippocampus for 5 to 15 minutes with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) increased potassium evoked cholecystokinin (CCK) release from 139% to 296% of control. The inactive 4 alpha phorbol and 4 alpha PDB did not alter CCK release. None of the active or inactive phorbols tested altered basal CCK release. These results suggest that there may be similarities in the regulation of CCK release in different brain regions. Although the physiological factors which regulate CCK release may differ in these tissues, it is possible that their common action is mediated by the products of inositol phospholipid turnover.

Reduction of the same calcium current component by A and C kinases: differential pertussis toxin sensitivity

Voltage-clamp techniques were used to study the effect of forskolin, 8-Br-cyclic AMP, and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) on the 3 voltage-dependent calcium current components of mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons in culture. Forskolin and 8-Br-cyclic AMP selectively reduced the transient high-threshold (N-type) calcium current component, an effect also produced by PDBu, a C kinase activator. Pretreatment of cultures with pertussis toxin prevented the reduction of calcium current by PDBu, but was without effect on the reductions produced by forskolin or 8-Br-cyclic AMP. These results support the contention that activation of both A and C kinases selectively affect calcium currents in vertebrate neurons by reducing the N-type calcium current component. While the activation of the C kinase required a G protein to exert its effect, the activation of A kinase did not.

Heterologous down-regulation of vascular atrial natriuretic peptide receptors by phorbol esters

Using cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), the effect of protein kinase C activation on rat atrial natriuretic peptide (rANP) receptors and its effector system was studied. Tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) induced a time- and temperature-dependent decrease of 125I-rANP binding to VSMC. TPA and phorbol dibutyrate inhibited the binding in a dose-related manner, whereas biologically inactive beta-phorbol was ineffective. Pretreatment of VSMC with TPA resulted in a marked reduction (50-70%) of rANP binding capacity without a significant change of its binding affinity. TPA pretreatment also induced attenuation of rANP-induced cGMP generation without affecting its basal levels. These data suggest that protein kinase C may be involved in the mechanism of heterologous down-regulation of vascular ANP receptors/guanylate cyclase system.

Transforming growth factor beta as a potent promoter in two-stage BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation

We have tested transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) in the two-stage BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay for possible tumor-promoting activity, since it has several effects similar to those of tumor-promoting phorbol esters. After initiation of BALB/c 3T3 cells with 3-methylchol-anthrene, treatment with TGF beta at 1 ng/ml alone or in combination with epidermal growth factor (EGF) for 4 weeks enhanced the number of transformed foci by 5- to 6-fold in comparison with uninitiated cells. Initiation treatment alone induced no or very few transformed foci in several assays. Treatment with phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (PDD) at 100 ng/ml for 4 weeks enhanced the number of transformed foci in initiated BALB/c 3T3 cells by 4- to 5-fold in comparison with uninitiated cells. Thus, TGF beta at 1 ng/ml is as potent as PDD at 100 ng/ml for tumor-promoting activity in the two-stage BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay. The enhancing effect of TGF beta was dose-related in the dose range tested (0.03-1 ng/ml) and was not reversible. Some of the foci induced by combined MCA-TGF beta-EGF treatment were cloned, and eight out of nine clones tested produced tumors in nude mice. TGF beta (1 ng/ml) plus EGF (2 ng/ml) increased the saturation density to a similar extent as PDD (100 ng/ml) but did not affect the growth of BALB/c 3T3 cells. We observed no change in junctional intercellular communication, as measured by the dye transfer method, when cells were treated with TGF beta during the two-stage BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay. Nevertheless, there was selective communication between transformed and surrounding nontransformed cells; MCA-TGF beta transformed cells intercommunicated among themselves but not with surrounding nontransformed cells. Our results indicate that TGF beta has potent tumor-promoting activity in vitro, but that this activity is not mediated by a complete blockage of intercellular communication, as is suggested for phorbol ester tumor promoters.

Protein kinase C activation increases noradrenaline release from the rat hippocampus and modifies the inhibitory effect of alpha 2-adrenoceptor and adenosine A1-receptor agonists

We have studied the effect of stimulating protein kinase C with phorbol esters on the release of [3H]-noradrenaline (NA) in the absence or presence of presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor blocking agents and compared that to the elevation of cyclic AMP levels more than 10-fold by a combination of rolipram and forskolin. 4-beta-Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDiBu) increased stimulated (3 Hz) [3H]-NA release markedly and in a concentration dependent manner. 4-alpha-Phorbol-12,13-didecanoate was ineffective. The effect of PDiBu was not significantly reduced by nifedipine (1 microM), but was proportionally less in the presence of an alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine. PDiBu inhibited the presynaptic effect of alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists clonidine and UK 14304. By contrast, the presynaptic effect of the adenosine analogue R-PIA was not reduced by PDiBu. PDiBu caused an increase in cyclic AMP that depended on adenosine receptor stimulation. Elevation of cyclic AMP had a limited effect on NA release from rat hippocampus, and did not significantly decrease the presynaptic inhibitory effect of UK 14304 (0.1 microM), of morphine (1 microM) or of the adenosine A1-receptor agonist CHA (1 microM). The effect of phorbol esters and several presynaptic inhibitors of NA-release in the rat hippocampus cannot be explained by changes in cyclic AMP levels in the tissue. Phorbol esters that stimulate protein kinase C appear to interact with a target that is the site of action alpha 2-adrenoceptors in this tissue. This site is not a dihydropyridine sensitive Ca-channel and is also different from the target of presynaptic adenosine receptors. Thus, activation of protein kinase C discriminates between apparently similar presynaptic mechanisms.

Activation and proliferation signals in mouse B cells. IX. Protein kinase C activators synergize with non-mitogenic anti-immunoglobulin antibodies to drive B cells into G1

Intact (IgG) rabbit anti-Ig antibodies, unlike F(ab')2 fragments, do not induce DNA synthesis in murine B cells. The F(ab')2 antibodies induce prolonged breakdown of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate, and hence activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in B cells, whilst the non-mitogenic antibodies stimulate an abortive response. In order to investigate the role of PKC in B-cell activation, the cells were cultured with combinations of F(ab')2 or intact anti-Ig together with the PKC-activating phorbol esters PDB or PMA. Both these agents synergized with intact anti-Ig to drive resting B cells into the G1 phase of the cell cycle. This is in line with the concept that intact anti-Ig does not induce substantial cell cycle progression in B cells because it fails to cause sufficient activation of PKC. The Ca2+ signal generated by this ligand is apparently sufficient to synergize with PKC activation by phorbol esters to induce B cells to progress into G1. However, the combination of phorbol esters with either form of anti-Ig failed to stimulate B cells to synthesize DNA. This probably reflects the capacity of these agents to inhibit DNA synthesis stimulated by F(ab')2 anti-Ig.

Interleukin 3 stimulates proliferation via protein kinase C activation without increasing inositol lipid turnover

Interleukin 3 (IL-3) is required for the survival and proliferation of the FDCP-Mix 1 multipotent stem cell line. IL-3 or phorbol esters can rapidly translocate protein kinase C from a cytosolic to a membrane-bound form in these cells. Phorbol esters were able to partially replace the requirement of FDCP-Mix 1 cells for IL-3. Down-modulation of protein kinase C levels by chronic treatment with phorbol ester markedly reduced the ability of the cells to proliferate in response to either IL-3 or phorbol esters. These data indicate that IL-3 can activate protein kinase C, leading to the survival and proliferation of stem cells. Protein kinase C is activated conventionally by complexing with diacylglycerol which accumulates in the cell membrane after agonist-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2]. However, there was no detectable breakdown of PtdIns(4,5)P2 when IL-3 was added to FDCP-Mix 1 cells, nor was there detectable accumulation of inositol phosphates in response to IL-3. In contrast, rapid hydrolysis of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate was elicited by readdition of horse serum to serum-starved cells, thus indicating that these cells possess the necessary machinery to undergo agonist-mediated inositol phospholipid breakdown. We conclude that the mechanism whereby IL-3 can activate protein kinase C leading to proliferation is not associated with inositol phospholipid hydrolysis.

Phorbol ester-induced stimulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis in human amnion cells

Both phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (10(-8)-10(-6) M) induced concentration-dependent increases in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by human amnion cells, with maximum stimulations of 10.8-fold and 5.9-fold, respectively. 4 alpha-Phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, an inactive phorbol ester analogue, had little or no effect on PGE2 production by amnion cells. PMA and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (10(-7) M) induced a maximal increase in the rate of PGE2 biosynthesis within 15 min of treatment. These results suggest that there is an active protein kinase C present in amnion cells that is linked to arachidonic acid release and/or metabolism.

Regulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor phosphorylation state by sphingosine in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells

The regulation of protein phosphorylation by sphingosine in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells was examined. Sphingosine is a competitive inhibitor of phorbol ester binding to protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) and potently inhibits phosphotransferase activity in vitro. Addition of sphingosine to intact A431 cells caused an inhibition of the phorbol ester-stimulated phosphorylation of two protein kinase C substrates, epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor threonine 654 and transferrin receptor serine 24. We conclude that sphingosine inhibits the activity of protein kinase C in intact A431 cells. However, further experiments demonstrated that sphingosine-treatment of A431 cells resulted in the regulation of the EGF receptor by a mechanism that was independent of protein kinase C. First, sphingosine caused an increase in the threonine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor on a unique tryptic peptide. Second, sphingosine caused an increase in the affinity of the EGF receptor in A431 and in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing wild-type (Thr654) and mutated (Ala654) EGF receptors. Sphingosine was also observed to cause an increase in the number of EGF-binding sites expressed at the surface of A431 cells. Examination of the time course of sphingosine action demonstrated that the effects on EGF binding were rapid (maximal at 2 mins) and were observed prior to the stimulation of receptor phosphorylation (maximal at 20 mins). We conclude that sphingosine is a potently bioactive molecule that modulates cellular functions by: 1) inhibiting protein kinase C; 2) stimulating a protein kinase C-independent pathway of protein phosphorylation; and 3) increasing the affinity and number of cell surface EGF receptors.

Protein kinase C activity in compensatory kidney growth

Very little information exists about the intracellular mechanisms mediating remnant kidney hypertrophy after reduction of renal mass. The present experiments demonstrate that the activity of a key enzyme in cellular proliferation, protein kinase C, is enhanced in the kidney during post-uninephrectomy hypertrophy. As additional evidence of "in vivo" enzyme activation, the enzyme activity migrates from the cytosolic to the particulate fraction of the cells and the number of sites of phorbol dibutyrate binding is enhanced in kidney membranes 24 hr after contralateral nephrectomy. The stimulation of the enzyme is higher than the increase in kidney weight, although both phenomena are linearly related.

Comparison of protein kinase C functional assays to clarify mechanisms of inhibitor action

The effects of inhibitors of protein kinase C on the activities of the intact enzyme, the proteolytically-generated catalytic domain, and [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) binding were compared in an effort to evaluate this approach for clarifying mechanisms of inhibitor action. Staurosporine, H-7 [1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine], and quercetin inhibited the catalytic fragment with similar potencies as for the intact enzyme while having little or no effect on binding, consistent with reports that they are competitive with ATP. Adriamycin, trifluoperazine, and tamoxifen, suggested to disrupt hydrophobic interactions between the regulatory domain of protein kinase C and phospholipid, were all most effective on the intact enzyme. They appear to possess a mixed mechanism, however, inhibiting activity of the catalytic domain with approximately 3-fold lower potencies. Gossypol inhibited intact enzyme, catalytic fragment, and PDBu binding with similar potencies. In light of multiple apparent sites of action for such protein kinase C inhibitors, comparison of their activities on the individual functional domains of the kinase may provide a useful complement to studies with the intact enzyme.

Aminoacridines, potent inhibitors of protein kinase C

Acridine orange, acridine yellow G, and related compounds potently inhibited protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) activity and phorbol dibutyrate binding. Inhibition was investigated in vitro using Triton X-100 mixed micellar assays (Hannun, Y. A., Loomis, C. R., and Bell, R. M. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 10039-10043 and Hannun, Y. A., and Bell, R. M. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 9341-9347). Inhibition by the acridine derivatives was subject to surface dilution; therefore, the relevant concentration unit is mol % rather than the bulk molar concentration. Fifty percent inhibition of protein kinase C activity occurred at concentrations of these compounds comparable to concentrations of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphatidylserine (PS) required for enzyme activation (i.e. 1-6 mol %). The mechanism of inhibition appeared to be complex: both the catalytic and regulatory sites of protein kinase C were affected. Acridine orange was a competitive inhibitor with respect to MgATP when the catalytic fragment of protein kinase C was employed. Inhibition at the active site was overcome by the addition of Triton X-100 micelles or phospholipid vesicles. When the activity of intact protein kinase C was measured, inhibition was noncompetitive with respect to MgATP. Further kinetic analysis suggested a competitive type of inhibition with respect to PS and DAG implying an interaction of acridine compounds with the regulatory lipid cofactors or with the regulatory domain of protein kinase C. This was further supported by demonstrating inhibition of phorbol dibutyrate binding to both protein kinase C and the lipid-binding domain generated by trypsin hydrolysis. Acridine orange and acridine yellow G also inhibited thrombin-induced 40-kDa phosphorylation in human platelets and phorbol dibutyrate binding to platelets. These effects were also subject to surface dilution. These results suggest that acridine derivatives have multiple interactions with protein kinase C with the predominant effect being inhibition of activation within the regulatory domain of the enzyme. Some of the biologic effects of acridine derivatives including anti-tumor action may occur as a consequence of protein kinase C inhibition.

Constitutive activity of membrane-inserted protein kinase C

Incubation of purified protein kinase C (PKC) with phospholipid vesicles produced two populations of membrane-bound PKC: one population was dissociated by calcium chelation and the other was not. The second population appeared to be inserted into the membrane. The activity of membrane-inserted PKC was Ca2+-independent and was only modestly sensitive to phorbol esters. Insertion was caused by high calcium concentrations or by phorbol esters plus low calcium. These conditions correlated with those needed to activate PKC; insertion into the membrane may be a primary mechanism of PKC activation. PKC may be a long-term cell regulator which becomes inserted into the membrane upon appearance of the second messengers, calcium and diacylglycerol, and remains in an active membrane-bound state when the second messengers have been removed.

Noncholinergic transmitter(s) maintains secretion of catecholamines from rat adrenal medulla for several hours of continuous stimulation of splanchnic neurons

The effect of continuous stimulation of splanchnic nerves at 1, 3, and 10 Hz on the secretion of catecholamines from the isolated rat adrenal gland was examined. Secretion evoked at 10 Hz declined over 60% in 1 h, and by the end of 4 h the secretion was only 10% of the initial value. The secretion evoked at 3 Hz was unchanged in the first hour, but showed a gradual decline in subsequent hours. In contrast, secretion evoked at 1 Hz was well maintained for several hours. Even after 6 h of continuous stimulation, the decline was only about 35%. Atropine plus hexamethonium reduced the secretion evoked at 10 Hz by over 80%, but that evoked at 1 Hz was reduced by about 35%; addition of naloxone reduced it to 75%. When the secretion declined to very low levels after continuous stimulation at 10 Hz for 100 min, a change in frequency to 3 Hz or 1 Hz caused a sharp rebound in the secretory response. Returning the frequency back to 10 Hz led to a sharp drop in the secretion, whereas reducing the frequency to 1 or 3 Hz once again increased the secretion. The rebound in the secretory response after switchover of frequencies was observed in the presence of atropine plus hexamethonium, but was abolished by naloxone. Extensive stimulations, which caused large amounts of catecholamine secretions at each frequency, were not associated with any loss in tissue catecholamine contents. The major conclusion is that secretion of catecholamines is maintained uninterrupted for several hours when splanchnic nerves are stimulated at low frequency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Molecules mediating adhesion of T and B cells, monocytes and granulocytes to vascular endothelial cells

Leucocytes interact with vascular endothelial cells (EC), and adhesion between these two cell types in vitro is modulated by phorbol ester. Monocytes were found to display the highest basal adhesion to EC, followed by Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized normal B cells (EBV-B), T cells and granulocytes. Phorbol ester treatment increased the adhesion of all types of leucocytes, except monocytes. In the presence of this compound, monoclonal antibody 60.3 to GP90 (CD18, a leucocyte-adhesion protein which is non-covalently associated to either GP160, GP155, or GP130) was found to inhibit the adhesion of the four types of leucocytes to a considerable extent, while anti-lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) antibody to GP160 (CD11a) inhibited the adhesion of T and B cells only. Antibody 60.1 to GP155 (CD11b) had a major inhibitory activity exclusively on granulocytes, while antibody LB-2, which recognizes a distinct adhesion molecule (GP84) and, in contrast to the previous antibodies, reacts with EC, mainly inhibited adhesion of EBV-B and did not increase the inhibition obtained with antibody 60.3 alone. Fab fragments of antibody 60.3 inhibited leucocyte adhesion more efficiently, in either the absence or presence of phorbol ester, than the intact antibody molecule. It is concluded the GP90, either alone or associated to the larger glycoproteins, mediates the adhesion in all types of leucocytes, while GP84 mediates the adhesion of the activated B cells.

Protein kinase C activators mimic the M2-muscarinic receptor-mediated effects on the action potential in isolated sympathetic neurons of rabbits

Protein kinase C activators 1,2-oleoylacetylglycerol (OAG, 0.5-50 microM), a synthetic diacylglycerol analog, and phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (Pb(Bu)2, 0.016-1.6 microM) depressed the calcium (Ca)-dependent components of action potentials in isolated superior cervical ganglion cells of rabbits. Similar depressions were elicited when the M2-muscarinic receptors were activated. This muscarinic modification of the action potential was obscured after the perfusion with protein kinase C inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7, 50 microM). It seems that protein kinase C is an intermediator between the M2-muscarinic receptors and the Ca channels regulating the firing rate of the postganglionic cells.

Suppression of nerve growth factor-directed neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells by sphingosine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C

The formation of vertebrate neural circuitry is regulated in part by neurotrophic agents, such as nerve growth factor (NGF); however, the biochemical mechanisms involved in neurite outgrowth have yet to be completely resolved. Phorbol ester tumor promoters are known to influence the extension of neurites in a variety of neurodevelopmental systems, and protein kinase C, the major phorbol ester receptor, has been implicated in this process. In the present study, sphingosine, a specific pharmacological inhibitor of protein kinase C, was employed to investigate the role of this enzyme in the elaboration of neurites in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. Normally, PC12 cells respond to NGF by morphologically differentiating into sympathetic neuron-like cells, exhibiting a marked hypertrophy, and extending slender neurites piloted by well defined growth cones. The elaboration of NGF-induced neurites was found to be reversibly inhibited by sphingosine in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 2.5-5 microM), while similar concentrations of several structural analogs were inactive. The suppression of neurite outgrowth by sphingosine was antagonized by the addition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), which binds to and directly activates protein kinase C. In the presence of NGF, TPA treatment increased the incidence of neurite outgrowth, and this increase, in turn, was antagonized by sphingosine. The binding of [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate to specific phorbol ester binding sites in PC12 cells was inhibited by sphingosine at concentrations similar to those which inhibited neurite outgrowth. The effects of sphingosine on TPA-directed protein phosphorylation were examined in situ, revealing inhibition of [32P]phosphate incorporation into cellular proteins. The specific TPA-directed phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase was inhibited by sphingosine, as was the resulting increase in enzyme activity. The effects of sphingosine on the levels of alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNAs were also examined in an effort to delimit the locus of protein kinase C action. Concentrations of sphingosine which suppressed neurite outgrowth did not inhibit the NGF-directed elevation of tubulin transcript levels. Taken together, these results reveal the presence of a sphingosine-sensitive pathway in neurite outgrowth and indicate that protein kinase C plays a role in mediating the neuritogenic effects of NGF. Furthermore, the results suggest that protein kinase C acts at a distal segment of the neurite growth pathway.

Effects of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine in membrane phospholipid on binding of phorbol ester in rat mammary carcinoma cells

Mammalian cells in culture can be classified as either ethanolamine (Etn)-responsive or Etn-nonresponsive with regard to their growth. Epithelial cells and some of their transformed derivatives are the Etn-responsive type. When these cells are grown without Etn, the content of membrane phospholipid becomes significantly altered. Namely, the content of phosphatidylethanolamine is reduced and that of phosphatidylcholine is increased. In addition, the growth rate of these cells is reduced. Therefore, it is likely that the phosphatidylethanolamine deficiency or phosphatidylcholine excess is unsuitable for some membrane-associated functions resulting in the cessation of growth. In order to test the above hypothesis, we examined the binding of a tumor-promoting phorbol ester, [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB), to an Etn-responsive rat mammary carcinoma cell line 64-24 grown with (Etn-plus) or without Etn (Etn-minus). The time course of binding was very similar between Etn-plus and -minus cells, except that the level of saturation was higher in Etn-plus cells, whereas the time course of chase of the bound PDB was significantly different between the two types of cells. Both types of cells have one class of binding sites for PDB. The dissociation constant (Kd) for [3H]PDB in Etn-plus cells was 34.0 nM and the number of binding sites at saturation was 2.7 x 10(12)/mg protein or 3.6 x 10(5)/cell. The corresponding values in Etn-minus cells were 61.4 nM and 3.2 x 10(12)/mg protein or 5.4 x 10(5)/cell, respectively. Although the difference in Kd values of the two types of cells was only 2-fold, this difference was statistically significant. On the other hand, the number of binding sites/mg protein in these cells was very similar. Since the amount of protein/cell was 1.4-fold higher in Etn-minus cells as compared to that of Etn-plus cells, the number of binding sites/cell was larger in Etn-minus cells. PDB affected the rate of proliferation of 64-24 cells differently, depending on whether they were grown in the presence or absence of Etn. These results suggest that the phosphatidylethanolamine and/or phosphatidylcholine content of the membrane phospholipid affects cellular functions mediated by phorbol esters.

Differential sensitivity of agonist- and antagonist-occupied gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors to protein kinase C activators. A marker for receptor activation

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates release of pituitary gonadotropins by activating specific plasma membrane receptors. In the present studies, we have used activators of the Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) to probe the binding characteristics of agonist- or antagonist-occupied GnRH receptors in intact cell cultures, using a radioligand receptor assay. Specific binding of [125I-Tyr5,D-Ser(tBu)6,Pro9,NHEt]GnRH (Buserelin), a high-affinity GnRH agonist, was increased to 180% of control in the presence of 150 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or 100 nM phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB), and to 125% of control in the presence of 200 microM 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol, after 20 min at 23 degrees C. The PMA effects were associated with apparent increases in both binding affinity and number of binding sites. The effects of protein kinase C activators on Buserelin binding were concentration- and time-dependent and were not seen with 4 alpha-PMA or 1,2-dioctanoyl-3-Cl-glycerol, neither of which activate protein kinase C. In contrast, PMA had no measurable effects on specific binding of a GnRH receptor antagonist, Ac[D-pCl-Phe1,2,D-Trp3,125I-Tyr5,D-Lys6,D-Ala10]GnRH. When cell cultures were pretreated with 100 nM PDB in the absence of GnRH and then washed to remove the phorbol ester, no effects of prior protein kinase C activation were detected upon subsequent addition of Buserelin. However, when PDB pretreatment was carried out in the presence of 0.3 microM GnRH, residual enhancement of Buserelin binding, but not antagonist binding, was observed at either 23 or 4 degrees C. The radiolabeled agonist activated, and the antagonist blocked, GnRH receptor-mediated luteinizing hormone release and [3H]inositol phosphate production in cells preloaded with [3H]inositol. These findings suggest that the action of protein kinase C on the GnRH receptor, either direct or indirect, requires the receptor to be in an activated (agonist-occupied) state but does not require receptor internalization. The mechanism of these effects on GnRH agonist binding is not known but may involve sequestration of surface receptors, expression of new receptors, and/or modulation of GnRH receptor affinity.

Acetylcholine release by bradykinin, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and phorbol dibutyrate in rodent neuroblastoma cells

1. The action of bradykinin (BK), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), and phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) on the release of acetylcholine (ACh) was studied electrophysiologically on short-distance (less than 20 micron) synapses formed between cultured NG108-15 mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells and rat muscle cells. Action potentials in NG108-15 cells did not usually evoke an excitatory junction potential (EJP) in the muscle cell in this system. 2. Ionophoretic application of BK onto the somatic surface of an NG108-15 cell produced an increase in frequency of miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs) for 40-50s in the paired myotube. Some MEPPs were evoked during BK-induced hyperpolarization (10-20 s) of the hybrid cell soma. A few MEPPs were also elicited during BK-induced depolarization. 3. Ionophoretic injection of Ca2+ into an NG108-15 cell soma generated MEPPs for a very brief period (less than 3 s), coincident with somatic hyperpolarization. No increase was observed during a subsequent somatic depolarization induced by a larger current of Ca2+. 4. Ionophoretic injection of InsP3 into the cytoplasm of an NG108-15 cell soma transiently evoked MEPPs during the InsP3-induced hyperpolarizing phase. A large InsP3 injection caused sustained generation of MEPPs for 2-4 min, associated with InsP3-evoked depolarization. 5. Within 3-5 min after exposure of NG108-15-myotube pairs to 1 microM-PDBu, the MEPP frequency increased by 2-5 times and reached a plateau after 8 min. The increase continued after wash-out of the drug. The PDBu-induced increase of MEPPs was still observed when the membrane potential of the NG108-15 cell was clamped at -30 mV. 6. The data suggest that the BK-induced facilitation results from the action of two intracellular second messengers: an InsP3-dependent release of Ca2+ from the intracellular storage sites and protein phosphorylation by diacyclglycerol (DAG)-activated protein kinase C.

Cholinergic regulation of protein phosphorylation in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Chromaffin cells were isolated from bovine adrenal medullae and maintained in primary culture. After prelabeling with 32PO4, exposure of the chromaffin cells to acetylcholine increased the phosphorylation of a Mr approximately equal to 100,000 protein and a Mr approximately equal to 60,000 protein (tyrosine hydroxylase), visualized after separation of total cellular proteins in naDodSO4/polyacrylamide gels. Immunoprecipitation with antibodies to three known phosphoproteins ("100-kDa," "87-kDa," and protein III) revealed an acetylcholine-dependent phosphorylation of these proteins. These three proteins were also shown to be present in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells by immunolabeling techniques. "100-kDa" is a Mr approximately equal to 100,000 protein selectively phosphorylated by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase III, "87-kDa" is a Mr approximately equal to 87,000 protein selectively phosphorylated by protein kinase C, and protein III is a phosphoprotein doublet of Mr approximately equal to 74,000 (IIIa) and Mr approximately equal to 55,000 (IIIb) phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I. Furthermore, 100-kDa was shown to be identical to the Mr approximately equal to 100,000 protein whose phosphorylation was increased by acetylcholine treatment. The acetylcholine-dependent increase in phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase, 100-kDa, 87-kDa, and protein III required extracellular calcium and was mimicked by nicotine, veratridine, elevated K+, and calcium ionophore A23187, but not by muscarine. In addition, forskolin increased the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase, 100-kDa, and protein III, but not that of 87-kDa. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate increased the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase, 87-kDa, and protein III, but not that of 100-kDa. The data demonstrate that cholinergic activation of chromaffin cells increases the phosphorylation of several proteins and that several protein kinase systems may be involved in these effects.

Characterization of lymphocyte stimulation by phorbol related compounds

1. The stimulation of (3H)-thymidine incorporation by lymphocytes in response to phorbol and seven other phorbol related compounds was investigated. 2. Lymphocytes from each of a small group of individuals were treated with the test compounds over wide concentration ranges. 3. All the tested compounds, including the most active, 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, were far less effective lymphocyte mitogens than the plant lectin phytohaemagglutinin. 4. Inter-individual differences were detected in the maximum response to the phorbols but not in their stimulating potency, as estimated by the concentration producing a half maximal response. 5. The rank order of the lymphocyte stimulating potency of the tested compounds was similar to the rank order of both tumour promoting activity and irritant potency in mouse skin. 6. Lymphocyte stimulation was paralleled equally well by these two mouse skin responses.

Effect of amiloride on regulatory mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle contraction

Experiments were conducted to characterize the effects of amiloride on the regulatory mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle contraction. Intact, saponin-skinned and A23187-treated strips of rabbit aorta were used for these studies. Amiloride significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced the norepinephrine bitartrate (NE)-stimulated increase in intracellular Ca2+ in intact arteries. In saponin-skinned arteries, amiloride depressed both stress and concomitant levels of myosin light chain phosphorylation. This inhibition of stress appeared to be competitive with MgATP. In A23187-treated preparations, where the effects of amiloride were studied at physiological [MgATP] in the absence of functional membrane Ca2+-channels, amiloride caused a reduction in both stress and myosin light chain phosphorylation. In other experiments on intact arteries, the contractile response to phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, an activator of protein kinase C, was reduced by amiloride. We conclude that the vasorelaxant effects of amiloride are mediated via inhibition of myosin light chain kinase and protein kinase C, in addition to the inhibition of Ca2+ influx.

Control of progesterone production in small and large bovine luteal cells separated by flow cytometry

Corpora lutea were collected from Holstein heifers on Days 10 and 12 of the oestrous cycle and the cells were dispersed with collagenase. The dispersed cells were separated into preparations of highly purified (90-99%) small (less than 20 microns) and large (greater than 25 microns) luteal cells by unit gravity sedimentation and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Net progesterone accumulation by 1 x 10(5) small cells and 1 x 10(3) large cells during 2 and 4 h incubations, respectively, were measured after additions of LH, PGF-2 alpha, and phorbol esters, alone and in combination. Progesterone synthesis was increased (P less than 0.05) by phorbol dibutyrate (PBt2) or PGF-2 alpha (P less than 0.05) in small, but not in large, luteal cells (10.1 +/- 3.0 and 18.1 +/- 5.0 ng/10(5) cells for 0 and 50 nM-PBt2, and 19.9 +/- 3.2 and 44.2 +/- 9.3 ng/10(5) cells for 0 and 1 microgram PGF-2 alpha/ml). The previously reported stimulatory effects of PKC activation and PGF-2 alpha addition to total dispersed cell preparations are therefore entirely attributable to the small, theca-derived cells. Small cells responded to low levels of LH (9.1 +/- 1.1, 69.0 +/- 5.4 and 154.7 +/- 41.4 ng/10(5) cells for 0, 1 and 5 ng LH/ml, respectively, P less than 0.05), while large cells responded only to high levels of LH (1635 +/- 318, 2662 +/- 459 and 3386 +/- 335 pg/10(3) cells for 0, 100 and 1000 ng LH/ml, respectively, P less than 0.05). PGF-2 alpha inhibited LH-, 8-Br-cAMP- and forskolin-stimulated progesterone synthesis in the large cells (3052 +/- 380, 3498 +/- 418, 3202 +/- 391 pg/10(3) cells for 1 microgram LH/ml, and 0.5 mM-8-Br-cAMP, and 1 microM-forskolin respectively and 1750 +/- 487, 2255 +/- 468, 2165 +/- 442 pg/10(3) cells for PGF-2 alpha + LH, PGF-2 alpha + 8-Br-cAMP and PGF-2 alpha + forskolin, respectively), indicating that the inhibitory effect of PGF-2 alpha on progesterone synthesis in large cells occurs at a site distal to cAMP generation. These results suggest that the large cells are the targets of the luteolytic effects of PGF-2 alpha, while the small cells are responsible for the previously reported luteotrophic effect of PGF-2 alpha in vitro.

Participation of protein kinase C and regulatory G proteins in modulation of the evoked noradrenaline release in brain

1. In the present paper two questions are discussed: (A) Does protein kinase C (PKC) participate in the modulation of evoked noradrenaline release in brain tissue? and (B) Is there any link between presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors and regulatory G proteins? 2. Slices of the middle part of the rabbit hippocampus, labeled with 3H-noradrenaline, were superfused with medium containing the reuptake inhibitor cocaine. During superfusion the tissue was stimulated twice electrically for 2 min each. 3. The PKC activators 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (4 beta-PDB) and 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) increased the stimulation-evoked transmitter release in a concentration-dependent manner. 4 alpha-PDB and 4-O-methyl-TPA, which do not activate PKC, were without effect on transmitter release. Polymyxin B, an inhibitor of PKC, diminished the stimulus-evoked overflow and counteracted the effects of the phorbol esters. The increases in release caused by phorbol esters and the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine were additive. 4. Treatment of hippocampal tissue with islet-activating protein (IAP) or N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), both known to inactivate the regulatory G proteins Gi and Go by chemical modification, led to a marked increase in evoked noradrenaline release. In addition, the effects of both the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine and the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine were inhibited. 5. The facilitatory effects of IAP and NEM on transmitter release were not additive. In synaptosomes prepared from rabbit hippocampus two polypeptides with molecular weights corresponding to those of alpha i and alpha o were 32P-ADP-ribosylated with IAP. Pretreatment of synaptosomes with NEM reduced the subsequent ADP ribosylation by IAP concentration dependently. 6. The above results suggest that PKC is involved in the modulation of noradrenaline release in the rabbit hippocampus. The presynaptic alpha 2-autoreceptors modulate transmitter release by a mechanism which is not directly affected by PKC. The alpha 2-autoreceptor-mediated signals seem to be transduced across the plasma membrane via regulatory G proteins.

Fibroblast growth factor stabilizes ribonucleic acid and regulates differentiated functions in a multipeptide-secreting neuroendocrine cell line

A clonal cell line (44-2C) which synthesizes and secretes somatostatin, neurotensin, calcitonin (CT), and CT gene-related peptide and transiently expresses c-fos was used to characterize the mechanism of action of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). bFGF had two modes of action: 1) short term incubation of 44-2C cells with bFGF increased the cellular content of neurotensin, somatostatin, and CT; and 2) bFGF enhanced the response of the cells to rat hypothalamic GRF-mediated cAMP efflux. The long term action of bFGF was manifested by the permissive effect of the molecule. bFGF had a sustained effect on RNA synthesis, and pretreatment with bFGF for 24 h altered the time course of response of the cells to rat GRF. In this cell line the cellular action of bFGF was not mediated via protein kinase-C action. bFGF was not mitogenic in 44-2C cells. bFGF stimulated uridine incorporation without affecting thymidine incorporation. Results obtained with actinomycin-D and alpha-amanitin suggest that the above effects of bFGF can be correlated with increased RNA stability produced by bFGF.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol mimic bradykinin effects on mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells

1. The role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) as possible mediators of the membrane current responses of NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells to bradykinin (BK, Brown & Higashida, 1988b) has been tested using intracellular ionophoresis of InsP3 and external application of phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) and 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG). 2. Intracellular ionophoresis of InsP3 into cells clamped at -30 to -50 mV produced (i) a transient outward current, (ii) a transient outward current followed by an inward current, or (iii) an inward current. All currents were accompanied by an increased input conductance. 3. The transient outward current reversed at between -80 and -90 mV. The reversal potential was shifted to more positive potentials on raising extracellular [K+], suggesting that it resulted from an increased K+ conductance. 4. The outward current was inhibited by apamin (0.4 microM) or d-tubocurarine (0.2-0.5 mM); these drugs also inhibit the outward current produced by BK or by intracellular Ca2+ injections (Brown & Higashida, 1988 a, b). The outward current was also slowly reduced in 0 mM [Ca2+] or 0.5 mM [Cd2+] plus 2 mM [Co2+] solution. 5. Ionophoretic injection of inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, guanosine trisphosphate or inorganic phosphate did not evoke an outward current but produced only an inward current with an increased conductance, reversing at between -10 and -20 mV. 6. Bath application of PDBu (10 nM-1 microM) or OAG (1-10 microM) produced an inward current with a fall in input conductance. The inward current was voltage dependent and was accompanied by an inhibition of the time-dependent current relaxations associated with activation or deactivation of the voltage-dependent K+ current, IM. 7. PDBu did not clearly reduce the Ca2+ current or the Ca2+-dependent K+ current recorded in these cells. During superfusion with PDBu, the outward current produced by intracellular ionophoresis of InsP3 was greatly enhanced. 8. The results support the view that the two membrane current responses to BK might both result from accelerated membrane phosphatidylinositide hydrolysis. One product, InsP3, releases Ca2+ and activates an apamin-curare-sensitive outward K+ current; this effect is imitated by intracellular InsP3 ionophoresis. The second product, DAG; activates protein kinase C to inhibit the voltage-dependent K+ current IM and generate an inward current; this effect is imitated by external application of PDBu or OAG.

Phorbol esters increase adenylate cyclase activity and stability in pituitary membranes

In this report, we demonstrate that calcium and phorbol esters enhance cAMP production in GH4C1 cell homogenates. The mechanism for this is a reduction in the rate of decay of adenylate cyclase activity over the course of the assay. Purified protein kinase C can reconstitute calcium- and phorbol ester-dependent adenylate cyclase. Phorbol ester-activated protein kinase C increases both the initial rate of cAMP synthesis and reduces the time-dependent decay of adenylate cyclase activity in membrane preparations. The rate of cAMP production is fit to an equation derived from a model which assumes that adenylate cyclase initially exists in a high activity state which decays exponentially into a low activity state. We suggest that protein kinase C can both prevent the decay of the high activity state and convert the low activity state into the high activity state.

Synergistic stimulation of neutrophils. Possible involvement of 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoate in superoxide release

Neutrophils stimulated with optimal amounts of tumor-promoters that activate protein kinase C (e.g. mezerein, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate) are known to release large quantities of superoxide: approximately 40-50 nmol O2-/min/10(7) cells. Previous studies have shown that treatment of neutrophils with the calcium ionophore A23187, or with 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenonate (5-HETE), dramatically increased the ability of these cells to release O2- in response to suboptimal concentrations of the stimulants mentioned. In this manuscript, we provide data relevant to the basis of this augmentation of O2- release. The synergy with ionophore A23187 exhibited a partial requirement for extracellular Ca2+, whereas that with 5-HETE exhibited a near absolute requirement for that cation. Neutrophils stimulated with optimal amounts of tumor-promoters are known to exhibit a redistribution of protein kinase C activity from the soluble to a particulate fraction. A redistribution of kinase activity was not observed in cells stimulated synergistically. On the other hand, ionophore A23187 and 5-HETE increased the binding of a suboptimal amount of [3H] phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate to intact neutrophils by approximately 25 and 50%, respectively. Inhibitors of protein kinase C (i.e. sphingosine, 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine) substantially blocked O-2 release from neutrophils stimulated either synergistically or with optimal levels of tumor-promoters. These data suggest a role for 5-HETE in modulating O-2 release by neutrophils and are discussed in relation to models of the interactions of protein kinase C with membranes.

Immature stimulus-secretion coupling in the developing exocrine pancreas and ontogenic changes of protein kinase C

Previous observations have shown unresponsiveness of pancreatic acini to cholecystokinin C-terminal octapeptide (CCK-8) and cholinergic agents in newborn rats. In this study, the possibility that a lack of protein kinase C may be one factor limiting the responsiveness of the acini was examined. In the term fetus and in newborns cytosolic protein kinase C activity was low. Shortly after birth, the activity increased rapidly and by 2 days of age reached adult levels which were 5-fold higher than that in the newborn. No differences in subcellular distribution of protein kinase C activity between the particulate and the cytosol fractions were found at any age studied. Developmental profiles of phorbol dibutyrate binding, an alternative method for measuring protein kinase C, were similar to those of protein kinase C activity measurements. Using stimulation of amylase secretion as an index of responsiveness, dispersed pancreatic acini of newborn rats were found to be unresponsive to TPA (a potent activator of protein kinase C) and CCK-8, but were responsive to dibutyryl cAMP and calcium ionophore A23187 (agents not dependent on protein kinase C activity). These results suggest that the low levels of pancreatic protein kinase C in newborn rats are at least in part responsible for the unresponsiveness of pancreatic acini to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate and CCK-8.

Juvenile hormone action mediated in male accessory glands of Drosophila by calcium and kinase C

In an in vitro system for the Drosophila melanogaster male accessory gland, it was found that 10(-9)M juvenile hormone III could accurately mimic the copulation-induced response of increased protein synthesis in glands from virgin flies. Stimulation by this hormone required calcium in the medium. Experiments with tumor-promoting phorbol esters indicated that activation of protein kinase C can also cause the glands to increase protein synthesis. Stimulation of protein synthesis by juvenile hormone did not occur in mutants deficient in kinase C activity. These results suggest a membrane-protein-mediated effect of juvenile hormone that involves calcium and kinase C.