A mutant alpha subunit of G12 potentiates the eicosanoid pathway and is highly oncogenic in NIH 3T3 cells

The discovery of GTPase-inhibiting mutations in genes for alpha subunits of Gs or G(i2) in certain human endocrine tumors has raised the possibility that heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) might contribute to neoplastic disease. Expression of GTPase-deficient alpha s or alpha i2 polypeptides in rodent fibroblasts increases or decreases cAMP, respectively, and induces certain alterations in cell growth but only a few of the phenotypic changes associated with cellular transformation. In contrast, an analogous mutation in the alpha subunit of Gq, which activates phosphatidylinositol (PI)-specific phospholipase C, is fully oncogenic. However, activated alpha q is cytotoxic and several orders of magnitude less potent as an oncogene than certain G protein-coupled receptors. Thus, G proteins other than those inducing PI hydrolysis might possess high transforming efficiency. In the present study, we explored the G12 family of G proteins for their oncogenic potential. Our results show that whereas overexpression of wild-type alpha 12 in NIH 3T3 cells is itself weakly transforming, an activated alpha 12 behaves as a remarkably potent oncogene. Transformation by alpha 12 correlates with alterations in the eicosanoid pathway but not with PI-specific phospholipase C or other G protein-linked second messengers.

Common elements in interleukin 4 and insulin signaling pathways in factor-dependent hematopoietic cells

Interleukin 4 (IL-4), insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) efficiently induced DNA synthesis in the IL-3-dependent murine myeloid cell lines FDC-P1 and FDC-P2. Although these factors could not individually sustain long-term growth of these lines, a combination of IL-4 with either insulin or IGF-I did support continuous growth. The principal tyrosine-phosphorylated substrate observed in FDC cells stimulated with IL-4, previously designated 4PS, was of the same size (170 kDa) as the major substrate phosphorylated in response to insulin or IGF-I. These substrates had phosphopeptides of the same size when analyzed by digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and each tightly associated with the 85-kDa component of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase after factor stimulation. IRS-1, the principal substrate phosphorylated in response to insulin or IGF-I stimulation in nonhematopoietic cells, is similar in size to 4PS. However, anti-IRS-1 antibodies failed to efficiently precipitate 4PS, and some phosphopeptides generated by V8 protease digestion of IRS-1 were distinct in size from the phosphopeptides of 4PS. Nevertheless, IL-4, insulin, and IGF-I were capable of stimulating tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in FDC cells that expressed this substrate as a result of transfection. These findings indicate that (i) IL-4, insulin, and IGF-I use signal transduction pathways in FDC lines that have at least one major feature in common, the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of 4PS, and (ii) insulin and IGF-I stimulation of hematopoietic cell lines leads to the phosphorylation of a substrate that may be related to but is not identical to IRS-1.

Transforming G protein-coupled receptors transduce potent mitogenic signals in NIH 3T3 cells independent on cAMP inhibition or conventional protein kinase C

We have used the expression of human acetylcholine muscarinic receptor (mAChR) genes in NIH 3T3 cells as a model for dissecting the molecular basis of cellular transformation induced by G protein-coupled receptors. Those mAChR subtypes efficiently coupled to PIP2 hydrolysis (m1, m3 and m5) induced agonist-dependent cell transformation whereas those inhibiting adenylyl cyclase (m2, m4) lack transforming activity. In the present study, we demonstrate that in cells expressing m1 but not m2 mAChRs the cholinergic agonist (carbachol) is alone as potent a stimulant for DNA synthesis as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or serum. Furthermore, induction of DNA synthesis is shown to correlate with activation of PIP2 hydrolysis but not with inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. We also examined the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in mitogenic signalling through m1 mAChRs, and found that NIH 3T3 cells express PKC-alpha and PCK-zeta as the only conventional or Ca(2+)-independent PKC isozyme, respectively. Prolonged treatment with TPA depleted cells of PKC-alpha but not of PKC-zeta. In TPA-treated NIH 3T3 cells, the mitogenic response to a subsequent stimulation with TPA was absolutely abolished, but the response to PDGF or serum was not. Moreover, PKC depletion did not decrease DNA synthesis induced by carbachol. We conclude that carbachol potently induces reinitiation of DNA synthesis through the activation of transforming mAChR subtypes, independently of inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and conventional PKCs.

IL-4 activates a distinct signal transduction cascade from IL-3 in factor-dependent myeloid cells

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) was shown to induce a potent mitogenic response in the IL-3-dependent myeloid progenitor cell line, FDCP-2. Although IL-4 could not sustain long-term growth of FDCP-2 cells, it enhanced their growth in serum-free medium containing IL-3. IL-4 triggered prominent tyrosine phosphorylation of a substrate(s) migrating at 170 kDa and less striking phosphorylation of several other proteins, including the IL-4 receptor. By contrast, IL-3 induced distinct tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins migrating at 145, 97, 70, 55 and 52 kDa in the same cell line. IL-4 treatment of FDCP-2 cells caused a dramatically strong association of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) both with the 170 kDa tyrosine phosphorylated substrate and with the IL-4 receptor itself. By contrast, IL-3 triggered only weak association of PI 3-kinase activity with the 97 kDa substrate. While IL-4 did not affect cellular raf, IL-3 stimulation did induce a shift in its mobility presumably due to serine/threonine phosphorylation. Taken together, our results indicate that IL-4 and IL-3 activate distinct phosphorylation cascades in the same cell background; this may reflect a difference in the biological function of these two cytokines.

Activation of transforming G protein-coupled receptors induces rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins, including p125FAK and the p130 v-src substrate

We have used the family of human muscarinic receptors (mAChRs) as a model for receptors coupled to G proteins and have shown that genes for certain mAChR subtypes can behave as potent agonist-dependent oncogenes. Furthermore, transforming mAChRs can transduce mitogenic signals in transfected NIH 3T3 cells. In this study, we show that in cells expressing ml mAChRs, the cholinergic agonist carbachol, induces a rapid and dose-dependent increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins which are different from those induced by PDGF. Interestingly, carbachol, but not PDGF, induces an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the p125FAK and p130 v-src substrates. Thus, growth promoting pathways activated by receptors coupled to G proteins might involve tyrosine phosphorylation of a small set of cellular proteins previously identified as substrates for oncogene-encoded tyrosine kinases.

Mutated alpha subunit of the Gq protein induces malignant transformation in NIH 3T3 cells

The discovery of mutated, GTPase-deficient alpha subunits of Gs or Gi2 in certain human endocrine tumors has suggested that heterotrimeric G proteins play a role in the oncogenic process. Expression of these altered forms of G alpha s or G alpha i2 proteins in rodent fibroblasts activates or inhibits endogenous adenylyl cyclase, respectively, and causes certain alterations in cell growth. However, it is not clear whether growth abnormalities result from altered cyclic AMP synthesis. In the present study, we asked whether a recently discovered family of G proteins, Gq, which does not affect adenylyl cyclase activity, but instead mediates the activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C harbors transforming potential. We mutated the cDNA for the alpha subunit of murine Gq in codons corresponding to a region involved in binding and hydrolysis of GTP. Similar mutations unmask the transforming potential of p21ras or activate the alpha subunits of Gs or Gi2. Our results show that when expressed in NIH 3T3 cells, activating mutations convert G alpha q into a dominant acting oncogene.

Identification of distinct populations of PI-3 kinase activity following T-cell activation

Activation of mature CD4+ T lymphocytes by antigen-presenting cells involves engagement of the CD3/T-cell antigen receptor complex along with the CD4 surface glycoprotein and the phosphorylation of cellular proteins on tyrosine residues leading to stimulation of a variety of cellular second-messenger systems. Several recent studies have implicated non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase of the src family, especially p56lck and p59fyn, in mediating at least a portion of these tyrosine phosphorylation events. In the present study we have examined the involvement of one type of second-messenger system, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase), in signal transduction during antibody-induced activation of normal resting human CD4+ T cells. We demonstrate that PI-3 kinase activity is increased following co-approximation of CD4 with the T-cell receptor and that PI-3 kinase activity co-precipitates with the CD4-p56lck complex. We also show that following T-cell activation a complex containing PI-3 kinase activity can be demonstrated in CD3 epsilon immunoprecipitates which is distinct from that which interacts with p56lck.

Fc epsilon RI-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation of pp72 in rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3). Evidence for a novel signal transduction pathway unrelated to G protein activation and phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis

Recently, we demonstrated that aggregation of the high affinity IgE receptor in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells results in rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of a 72-kDa protein (pp72). Here we investigated the relationship of pp72 phosphorylation to guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) activation and phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis. The activation of G proteins by NaF in intact cells or by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) in streptolysin O-permeabilized cells induced both phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and histamine release without tyrosine phosphorylation of pp72. Similarly, in RBL-2H3 cells expressing the G protein-coupled muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, carbachol activated phospholipase C and induced secretion without concomitant pp72 phosphorylation. Therefore, pp72 phosphorylation was not induced by G protein activation or as a consequence of phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis. To investigate whether pp72 tyrosine phosphorylation precedes the activation of phospholipase C, we studied the effect of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. Preincubation of cells with genistein decreased, in parallel, antigen-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of pp72 (IC50 = 34 micrograms/ml) and histamine release (IC50 = 31 micrograms/ml). However, genistein at concentrations of up to 60 micrograms/ml did not inhibit phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis nor did it change the amount of the secondary messenger inositol (1,4,5)-triphosphate. Previous observations showed that there was no pp72 tyrosine phosphorylation after activation of protein kinase C or after an increase in intracellular calcium. Taken together, these results suggest that pp72 tyrosine phosphorylation represents a distinct, independent signaling pathway induced specifically by aggregation of the Fc epsilon RI.

Diverse biologic properties imparted by the c-fgr proto-oncogene

The c-fgr proto-oncogene specifies a nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinase, p55c-fgr, a member of the src family. In the present study, we have mutagenized c-fgr to mimic alterations found at the 3' end of the v-fgr oncogene and have investigated the biologic effects of normal and mutant p55c-fgr expression. Genes lacking 10 or 13 codons at the 3' end, as well as a gene encoding phenylalanine instead of tyrosine at codon 523, were potent oncogenes when transfected into NIH 3T3 cells. Specific enzymatic activities of the more highly transforming gene products were 3-4-fold greater than that of p55c-fgr. In vivo, the amount of tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins was directly proportional to potency in focus-forming assays. These findings are the first to identify highly transforming mutations of the c-fgr proto-oncogene. The proto-oncogene was also active in transforming assays, demonstrably greater than that of a kinase-deficient mutant. Foci arising in c-fgr-transfected cultures expressed abundant enzyme that was normal by a number of criteria. In addition, growth rates for cells expressing p55c-fgr were restricted, as compared with cells expressing a kinase-deficient protein or cells transformed by proteins with high specific enzymatic activities. Thus, enzymatically active p55c-fgr can simultaneously activate transforming and growth inhibitory pathways.

Activating and inactivating mutations of the alpha subunit of Gi2 protein have opposite effects on proliferation of NIH 3T3 cells

Previous studies have demonstrated that mutations of highly conserved residues in the alpha subunit of Gs (alpha s) can inhibit either the intrinsic GTPase activity (glutamine-227 to leucine, Q227L) or the ability of the protein to be activated by GTP (glycine-226 to alanine, G226A). We stably transfected NIH 3T3 cells with cDNAs encoding Gi2 alpha subunit (alpha i2) containing either wild-type sequence or the homologous mutations Q205L and G204A. High expression of wild-type alpha i2, Q205L alpha i2, and G204A alpha i2 was confirmed in transfected cells by immunoblot analysis. The overexpression of all three alpha i2 proteins was accompanied by an increase in beta-subunit expression. Q205L alpha i2 was a poor substrate for ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin as compared with wild-type alpha i2. Expression of Q205L alpha i2 markedly decreased forskolin- or cholera toxin-stimulated intracellular cAMP levels in intact cells, confirming the constitutively activated state of the protein. In contrast, G204A alpha i2 increased intracellular cAMP and was resistant to guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate-induced inhibition of ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin, as expected for an inactive alpha i2. Transfection of wild-type, Q205L, or G204A alpha i2 cDNA did not induce focus formation of NIH 3T3 cells. However, overexpression of Q205L alpha i2 induced a decreased serum requirement, a reduced doubling time, and an 8- to 10-fold increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation. Q205L alpha i2 cells formed small colonies in soft agar, demonstrating some degree of anchorage-independent proliferation. Expression of G204A alpha i2 slowed the growth of NIH 3T3 cells. We conclude that alpha i2 plays an important role in regulation of fibroblast growth.

Tyrosine mutations within the alpha platelet-derived growth factor receptor kinase insert domain abrogate receptor-associated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase activity without affecting mitogenic or chemotactic signal transduction

A phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI-3) kinase activity of unknown biological function associates with tyrosine kinase-containing proteins, including a number of growth factor receptors after ligand stimulation. In the beta platelet-derived growth factor (beta PDGF) receptor, phosphorylation of a specific tyrosine residue within the kinase insert domain was required for its interaction with this enzyme. We show that substitutions of phenylalanine for tyrosine residue 731 or 742 within the kinase insert domain of the alpha PDGF receptor do not impair PDGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptor or of an in vivo substrate, phospholipase C-gamma. Moreover, phosphatidylinositol turnover in response to ligand stimulation is unaffected. However, both lesions markedly impair receptor association with PI-3 kinase. Antiphosphotyrosine antibody-recoverable PI-3 kinase was also dramatically reduced in PDGF-stimulated cells expressing either mutant receptor. Since neither mutation abolished PDGF-induced mitogenesis or chemotaxis, we conclude that alpha PDGF receptor-associated PI-3 kinase activity is not required for either of these major PDGF signalling functions.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes as agonist-dependent oncogenes

We have evaluated the muscarinic acetylcholine family of G protein-coupled receptors (mAChRs) for their oncogenic potential. These receptors are preferentially expressed in postmitotic cells, transducing signals specified by their endogenous agonist, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Cells transfected with individual human mAChR genes were morphologically indistinguishable from parental NIH 3T3 cells in the absence of agonist. In contrast, when cultures were supplemented with carbachol, a stable analog of acetylcholine, foci of transformation readily appeared in m1, m3, or m5 but not in m2 or m4 mAChRs transfectants. Receptor expression was verified by ligand binding and was similar for each transfected culture. Transformation was dose-dependent and required only low levels of receptor expression. In transformation-competent cells, agonist induced phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis, whereas in m2 or m4 transfectants, receptors were coupled to the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. These findings demonstrate that mAChRs linked to phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis can act as conditional oncogenes when expressed in cells capable of proliferation.

A novel c-fgr exon utilized in Epstein-Barr virus-infected B lymphocytes but not in normal monocytes

The fgr proto-oncogene encodes a nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinase, designated p55c-fgr. In this study, we have isolated human fgr cDNA molecules from normal monocyte mRNA templates. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the longest fgr cDNA revealed a 5' untranslated region of 927 bp which included two Alu-like repeats as well as three translation stop codons immediately upstream of the initiator for p55c-fgr synthesis. Within genomic DNA, these sequences were distributed over 13 kbp as three distinct 5' untranslated exons. Previous studies have shown that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) increases c-fgr mRNA levels in B lymphocytes. By comparing the nucleotide sequence reported for transcripts isolated from EBV-infected B lymphocytes with those of our monocyte cDNA as well as genomic DNA, we identified a novel untranslated exon utilized only in EBV-infected cells. The transcriptional initiation sites of fgr mRNA expressed in EBV-converted cells were mapped and shown to reside within a region identified as an intron for fgr mRNA that is expressed in normal myelomonocytic cells. Furthermore, the region of the fgr locus upstream of the novel exon displayed properties of a transcriptional promoter when transfected into heterologous cells. We conclude from all of these findings that activation of the fgr gene by EBV is achieved by mechanisms distinct from those normally regulating its programmed expression in myelomonocytic cells.

Selective effects of activation of protein kinase C isozymes on cyclic AMP accumulation

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in intact cells can induce significant changes, either facilitatory or inhibitory, in cyclic AMP accumulation elicited either by receptor activation or by the activator of adenylate cyclase, forskolin. Such interaction represents an example of "cross-talk" between second messenger systems and may underlie the biochemical basis of synchronization between external stimuli and biological responses. PKC is now known to comprise a variety of subspecies. Although differences among the PKC subspecies are apparent in terms of their enzymological properties, no functional differences among them have been described. In PC12 cells, where both alpha and gamma isozymes of PKC are present, activation of PKC causes enhancement of the responses of cyclic AMP-generating systems. In NCB20 cells and NIH 3T3 cells, where only the alpha isozyme is expressed, activation of PKC causes inhibition of cyclic AMP-generating systems. In NIH 3T3 cells after transfection of gamma-PKC, activation of the enzyme was no longer inhibitory; instead, a facilitation of cyclic AMP accumulation was observed. Thus, the alpha and gamma isozymes of PKC appear to have opposite actions, facilitatory for gamma-PKC and inhibitory for alpha-PKC, on the responses of cyclic AMP-generating systems in NIH 3T3 cells. Such opposing actions represent a remarkable functional distinction between two PKC subspecies.

Deletion or substitution within the alpha platelet-derived growth factor receptor kinase insert domain: effects on functional coupling with intracellular signaling pathways

The tyrosine kinase domains of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1)/c-fms receptors are interrupted by kinase inserts (ki) which vary in length and amino acid sequence. To define the role of the ki in the human alpha PDGF receptor (alpha PDGFR), we generated deletion mutants, designated alpha R delta ki-1 and alpha R delta ki-2, which lacked 80 (710 to 789) and 95 (695 to 789) amino acids of the 104-amino-acid ki region, respectively. Their functional characteristics were compared with those of the wild-type alpha PDGFR following introduction into a naive hematopoietic cell line, 32D. Biochemical responses, including PDGF-stimulated PDGFR tyrosine phosphorylation, phosphatidylinositol (PI) turnover, and receptor-associated PI-3 kinase activity, were differentially impaired by the deletions. Despite a lack of any detectable receptor-associated PI-3 kinase activity, 32D cells expressing alpha R delta ki-1 showed only partially impaired chemotactic and mitogenic responses and were capable of sustained proliferation in vitro and in vivo under conditions of autocrine stimulation by the c-sis product. 32D transfectants expressing the larger ki deletion (alpha R delta ki-2) showed markedly decreased or abolished biochemical and biological responses. However, insertion of the highly unrelated smaller c-fms (685 to 750) ki domain into alpha R delta ki-2 restored each of these activities to wild-type alpha PDGFR levels. Since the CSF-1R does not normally induce PI turnover, the ability of the c-fms ki domain to reconstitute PI turnover in the alpha R delta ki-2 transfectant provides evidence that the ki domain of the alpha PDGFR does not directly couple with this pathway. Taken together, all od these bindings imply that their ki domains have evolved to play very similar roles in the known signaling functions PDGF and CSF-1 receptors.

Effects of clenbuterol treatment on the responses to vasodilators in urethane-anaesthetized rats

Seven or 14 days of treatment with the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol, 0.3 mg kg-1, s.c., twice daily, increased the basal mean blood pressure in normotensive urethane-anaesthetized rats. The elevated pressure values were maintained until 48 h after the end of the 14 day treatment. Clenbuterol treatment decreased the vasodilatory responses to the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline and adenosine, agents which act through an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP. Decreased responses were maintained until 48 h after a 14 day treatment with clenbuterol. On the other hand, its administration to rats for 14 days did not modify the vasodilator responses to acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside, two agents that exert their effects by enhancing cyclic GMP. The increase in mean blood pressure in urethane-anaesthetized rats after clenbuterol treatment may be a consequence of a reduced vasodilator beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated response to circulating catecholamines.

Tyrosine phosphorylation coupled to IgE receptor-mediated signal transduction and histamine release

Antigen-induced cross-linking of IgE bound to its receptors at the surface of basophils or mast cells initiates a number of biochemical events culminating in the release of histamine-containing granules. In the present study, we investigated the possible involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in signaling by the high-affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RI). Cross-linking of Fc epsilon RI in rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) led to the phosphorylation of several proteins on tyrosine, the most prominent having a mass of 72 kDa. Tyrosine phosphorylation was rapid, detectable 1 min after stimulation, and correlated with both the time course and antigen dose for histamine release. Reversal of Fc epsilon RI cross-linking prevented continuation of the degranulation process and resulted in rapid loss of tyrosine phosphorylation. The receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation was still induced in the absence of calcium in the medium. Depletion of protein kinase C with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate did not dramatically affect the tyrosine phosphorylation signal or the release of histamine. In contrast, the calcium ionophore A23187 induced histamine release in the absence of a perceptible increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Thus, tyrosine phosphorylation is an early signal following Fc epsilon RI aggregation, independent of the exocytotic process itself. Taken together, our findings functionally link protein phosphorylation on tyrosine residues to Fc epsilon RI-mediated signal transduction leading to histamine release.

Thrombin-dependent association of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase with p60c-src and p59fyn in human platelets

Recent studies have shown that ligand-activated growth factor receptors as well as transforming versions of nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinases physically associate with phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase). Reasoning that PI-3 kinase might also play a role in the normal functions of nonreceptor kinases, we sought to determine whether association with PI-3 kinase might serve as a measure of nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinase activation under physiological conditions. We found that p60c-src as well as p59fyn, the product of another member of the src family of proto-oncogenes, physically associated with a PI kinase activity within 5 s after exposure to thrombin. Furthermore, PI kinase reaction products generated in p60v-src, p60c-src or p59fyn containing immunoprecipitates were indistinguishable, demonstrating the identity of the associated enzyme as PI-3 kinase. These findings demonstrate a thrombin-dependent interaction between p60c-src or p59fyn and PI-3 kinase and suggest a role for nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinases in human platelet signal transduction.

Autoradiographic localization of osteogenin binding sites in cartilage and bone during rat embryonic development

Osteogenin, a novel bone differentiation factor isolated from bone, has been recently purified and the amino acid sequence determined. Osteogenin in conjunction with a collagenous bone matrix substratum induces cartilage and bone formation in vivo. In order to understand the developmental role of osteogenin during cartilage and bone morphogenesis we examined the binding and distribution of iodinated osteogenin in developing rat embryos. Whole embryo tissue sections were made from 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, and 20 day fetuses. The specific binding of osteogenin at different stages of rat embryonic development was determined by autoradiography. Maximal binding was observed in mesodermal tissues such as cartilage, bone, perichondrium, and periosteum. During Days 11-15, peak binding was localized to perichondrium during limb and vertebral morphogenesis. By Day 18 periosteum exhibited the highest concentration of autoradiographic grains. Osteogenin was also localized in developing membranous bones of the calvarium and other craniofacial bones. Considerably less binding was observed, in decreasing order, in muscle, liver, spleen, skin, brain, heart, kidney, and intestine. The observed maximal binding during skeletal morphogenesis implies a developmental role for osteogenin.

Decreased angiotensin II receptors in subfornical organ of spontaneously hypertensive rats after chronic antihypertensive treatment with enalapril

Angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor density was higher in many brain regions of untreated spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared to untreated Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) animals. Systemic inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme with enalapril (25 mg/kg, per os for 14 days) produces a large decrease in ANG II receptors localized exclusively in the subfornical organ (SFO) of the SHR, and no alterations in ANG II receptors in the normotensive WKY rats. Selective decrease of ANG II receptors in the SFO of the genetically hypertensive rats with enalapril may be related to its therapeutic efficacy.

Calibration of 125I-polymer standards with 125I-brain paste standards for use in quantitative receptor autoradiography

125I-Polymer standards were calibrated by interpolation of their optical densities in [125I]-brain paste standard curves to obtain dpm/mg protein. There was a linear relationship between the calibrated polymer standards and the dpm/mg polymer, as provided by the manufacturer. One dpm/mg polymer was equivalent to 7.34 +/- 0.22 dpm/mg protein. Receptor quantification in selected rat brain areas with comparison to either brain paste or calibrated polymer standards yielded similar results.

Further evidence of interaction between vasodilator beta 2- and vasoconstrictor alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated responses in maintaining vascular tone in anesthetized rats

The importance of the interaction of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors in maintaining vascular tone in rats was studied. This interaction after clenbuterol (CLEN) treatment indicates an important contribution of the circulating epinephrine (EPI) levels. In urethane-anesthetized rats, the beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118.551 was more effective in antagonizing isoproterenol-induced hypotension (mainly beta 2-mediated) than tachycardia (mainly beta 1-mediated). Intravenous (i.v.) administration of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine (CLO) induced an initial pressor response followed by a more prolonged hypotension and bradycardia. The initial hypertensive effect was potentiated by previous acute administration of ICI 118.551 as well as by the nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol, but not by metoprolol, a more selective beta 1-blocker. Fourteen days of administration of the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist CLEN [0.3 mg/kg, subcutaneously (s.c.) twice daily], a treatment that induces desensitization of beta 2-mediated vasodilation, increased the pressor response induced by CLO, an effect that was not observed in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. In any case, neither beta-blockers nor CLEN treatment affects the hypotension and bradycardia induced by CLO. Mean blood pressure (BP) of CLEN-treated rats was increased under urethane anesthesia but not under pentobarbital anesthesia. Catecholamine levels (principally EPI) were higher in urethane-anesthetized rats. These results provide further evidence of a functional interaction between alpha 2- and beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated responses in rat vasculature and suggest that vasodilator beta 2-adrenoceptors might contribute to the determination of peripheral vascular tone when circulating EPI is substantially elevated.

Expression of the fgr protooncogene product as a function of myelomonocytic cell maturation

The fgr protooncogene is a member of the src family of protein tyrosine kinases. Recent studies have shown that normal myelomonocytic cells and tissue macrophages are the major sites of fgr mRNA expression. In the present study, we have identified the fgr protooncogene protein product in HL60 cells and have examined its expression as a function of HL60 cell maturation. Whether induced toward monocytic or granulocytic lineages, p55c-fgr accumulated in HL60 cells during maturation. In differentiated cells, the protein was active as a protein tyrosine kinase and was localized to peripheral cell membranes. Demonstration that a myristyl group was covalently bound to the protein probably accounted for its subcellular distribution. These findings establish developmental regulation of p55c-fgr in a lineage that represents its natural site of expression.

Translocation of the FGR protein-tyrosine kinase as a consequence of neutrophil activation

Recent studies of the FGR protooncogene have shown that expression of its mRNA is limited to mature peripheral blood granulocytes, monocytes, and tissue macrophages. In the present study, we have investigated p55c-fgr expression in normal human neutrophils [polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN)] and have found enzymatically active p55c-fgr to be abundant in lysates of PMN and murine fibroblasts transfected with a FGR expression plasmid but not control cells. Fractionation studies revealed that neutrophil p55c-fgr was present in plasma membrane-enriched fractions as well as fractions containing secondary and tertiary granules. Little change in the distribution of p55c-fgr or FGR kinase activity was observed under conditions favoring tertiary granule release. In contrast, when secondary granule secretion was induced with the chemoattractant peptide, formyl-Met-Leu-Phe, a marked decrease in p55c-fgr and FGR kinase was observed in fractions depleted of secondary granules. Concomitantly, the relative concentration of p55c-fgr and its enzymatic activity were increased in fractions containing plasma membrane. From these findings we conclude that p55c-fgr is associated with functional secretory granules and is redistributed within normal neutrophils in response to their activation.

Enalapril decreases angiotensin II receptors in subfornical organ of SHR

We studied brain angiotensin II (ANG II) receptors by quantitative autoradiography in adult normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) after treating the rats with the converting-enzyme inhibitor enalapril, 25 mg/kg, po daily for 14 days. Enalapril treatment decreased blood pressure in only SHR, inhibited plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme activity by 85%, and increased plasma ANG I concentration and renin activity in both WKY and SHR. In the untreated SHR animals, ANG II receptor concentrations were higher in the subfornical organ, the area postrema, the nucleus of the solitary tract, and the inferior olive when compared with the untreated WKY rats. Enalapril treatment produced a large decrease in only subfornical organ ANG II receptors of SHR. The selective reversal of the alteration in subfornical organ ANG II receptors in SHR may indicate a decreased central response to ANG II and may be related to the mode of action of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in this model.